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Who's to say that you are acting aggressively simply because of having more testosterone. Perhaps it's having more testosterone in relation to what you're used

Who's to say that you are acting aggressively simply because of having more testosterone. Perhaps it's having more testosterone in relation to what you're used to? Sure, testosterone is a factor, and it may have contributed to the trend of men to be more aggressive than women, however, women have demonstrated that they can be just as aggressive if not more aggressive with far less testosterone than men. To say we should give up and let our biology dictate who we are despite having plenty of examples to the contrary is rather defeatist.

rdtsc 15y ago
> To say we should give up and let our biology dictate who we are despite having plenty of examples to the contrary is rather defeatist. Sorry for misunderstanding. I wasn't saying that, just highlighting that biological makeup, specifically the endocrine system, can affect behavior quite bit. It should not be used as an excuse but it should be acknowledged as well. Small tendences when averaged over a lifetime can create quite different outcomes in the end. Think of a stream that slowly etches a rock and we end up with the Grand Canyon in the end. So just to repeat again, I am not for sending all girls to home-ec classes and prep only boys for engineering and science, just showing that biological differences are there and they can affect behavior, perception & learning in significant way. Ignoring those factors, might end up being detrimental in the long run.
- bigfudge 15y ago
  I agree, but I think a key point off the OP's argument is that a change in our expectations for what girls can and should be doing and worrying about has been to their detriment (increased dieting, watching of beauty pageants etc). Nowhere does she argue that we should ignore biological gender differences. However she rightly notes that culture strongly shapes experience and development, and our current culture is (in her and my opinion) likely to harm girls opportunities to experience a rich and fulfilling life.

rdtsc 15y ago

> To say we should give up and let our biology dictate who we are despite having plenty of examples to the contrary is rather defeatist. Sorry for misunderstanding. I wasn't saying that, just highlighting that biological makeup, specifically the endocrine system, can affect behavior quite bit. It should not be used as an excuse but it should be acknowledged as well. Small tendences when averaged over a lifetime can create quite different outcomes in the end. Think of a stream that slowly etches a rock and we end up with the Grand Canyon in the end. So just to repeat again, I am not for sending all girls to home-ec classes and prep only boys for engineering and science, just showing that biological differences are there and they can affect behavior, perception & learning in significant way. Ignoring those factors, might end up being detrimental in the long run.

bigfudge 15y ago
I agree, but I think a key point off the OP's argument is that a change in our expectations for what girls can and should be doing and worrying about has been to their detriment (increased dieting, watching of beauty pageants etc). Nowhere does she argue that we should ignore biological gender differences. However she rightly notes that culture strongly shapes experience and development, and our current culture is (in her and my opinion) likely to harm girls opportunities to experience a rich and fulfilling life.