Comments on: Shock News: Women and Men are From Earth http://counsellingresource.com/features/2007/10/03/gender-differences/ Looking at life through the prism of psychology, philosophy, mental health and more. Originally created by counsellor, psychotherapist and philosopher Dr Greg Mulhauser, this blog is now the work of an international team of contributors. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:49:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: L G Lincoln http://counsellingresource.com/features/2007/10/03/gender-differences/#comment-44288 L G Lincoln Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:57:30 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/2007/10/03/gender-differences/#comment-44288 I agree that maintaining the stereotypes supports the social structure as it is, however, I think there is another reason for the continued misperception of gender differences: each sex gets some benefit (in the current social setup) by clinging to these roles. Obviously, women get fewer benefits and that's the reason for "the woman question", the women's liberation movement, feminism, or whatever you call it. It repeats itself over and over. Men are equally as hampered by their gender roles, in some situations, much more so, but their rewards are far greater. I agree that maintaining the stereotypes supports the social structure as it is, however, I think there is another reason for the continued misperception of gender differences: each sex gets some benefit (in the current social setup) by clinging to these roles. Obviously, women get fewer benefits and that’s the reason for “the woman question”, the women’s liberation movement, feminism, or whatever you call it. It repeats itself over and over. Men are equally as hampered by their gender roles, in some situations, much more so, but their rewards are far greater.

]]> By: Mark http://counsellingresource.com/features/2007/10/03/gender-differences/#comment-43003 Mark Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:07:53 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/2007/10/03/gender-differences/#comment-43003 When I read the book Women are from Venus and Men are from Mars I couldn't help but thing of what dribble it was. It was a book of social stereotypes documented as some innate and unchangeable fact. I remember that I heard an segment on Radio National a few months ago and it rang tue to me when the commentator said that all the small differences between men and women are exaggerated to maintain the appearence of real difference to maintain the existing social roles and structures. I have personally studied the field of empathy and my research has shown no significant differences between the sexes. Men are as empathetic as women they just seem to be socialised to express it differently so it appears minimised. Mark When I read the book Women are from Venus and Men are from Mars I couldn’t help but thing of what dribble it was. It was a book of social stereotypes documented as some innate and unchangeable fact. I remember that I heard an segment on Radio National a few months ago and it rang tue to me when the commentator said that all the small differences between men and women are exaggerated to maintain the appearence of real difference to maintain the existing social roles and structures.
I have personally studied the field of empathy and my research has shown no significant differences between the sexes. Men are as empathetic as women they just seem to be socialised to express it differently so it appears minimised.

Mark

]]>