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APOTHEOSIS NOW
Few would argue that females and males differ from one another in sexual characteristics and the hormones that cause and sustain those characteristics. Beyond this, the various body systems are identical in form and function serving to denote human beings as one specie presenting a variety of body types.
There
is disagreement, however, on the elusive functions of the mind and brain.
How much of the "perceived" differences between women and
men are genetic and how much are culturally induced?
Where cultural differences between populations of humankind differ, one may note many areas where females and males exhibit similar aptitudes and attitudes.
These may demonstrate a native gender equity in intelligence just as they demonstrate a near universal, culturally induced policy: The strongest gender (male) rules. He enforces his "superior" position by declaring the existence of a male "god," while the less strong gender (female) serves the stronger and worships that "god."
Lately, we have observed that there appears to be a surge among scientist to develop and pursue research to intensify perceived differences in the genders. The media reports of their results tend to drive the genders even further apart; to show woman as decidedly not man, i.e. not god material.
One needs to be informed as to how these experiments are constructed, who is involved, how many are involved and the bias of the researchers. Unfortunately, we seldom are given this data. So, if we take some reports on face value alone, they may affect us adversely.
A case in point is a recent announcement claiming proof that women can stand pain better than men. The inference is: ALL WOMEN.
We know that ALL women were not tested and we know that scientist construct an experiment using quite small samples yet when their report comes out -- through the magic of statistics -- it reveals a statistical significant difference in the populations chosen by the scientist. They then apply this to us, the masses with a caveat compliment -- "brave women."
How is this dangerous? We, you and I, may be in a population of women that feels pain intensely -- never mind that MANY women don't -- WE DO! If a physician gets the mind set that women don't need as much pain medication as men do, we stand to suffer. Conversely, a male in pain might be over medicated.
Another study recently revealed that women judge by their body's feelings while men rely on what their eyes tell them. This is reinforcement for the oft touted maxim that women's brains are inadequate (unequal to men's) or that they do not use them.
As is usual with studies of this kind, they are presented AS IF women are being complimented, and there lies the danger -- flattery may dilute our rationality.
Subjects were placed in a chair. Their heads were covered with a virtual reality apparatus. While the chair was turned one full circle (360 degrees), the picture the subject saw via VR indicated that s/he was turned just half a circle (180 degrees).
Without giving any further parameters regarding how many subjects were tested or what the actual tests showed on each subject, the report blatantly claimed that, "Women mostly were not fooled by the VR and correctly identified one full circle.
"Men, however, mostly used their eyes to determine how much they had moved and thought they had been turned only half way around."
Although it was noted that most women were correct and men were not, the emphasis was placed on how each evaluated, i.e. woman with her body; man with his brain.
And nowhere was the statement made that many women were fooled into going with what their eyes told them (brain) and many men were correct in feeling their body going around in a full circle.
Until gender-specific and environmental training is compensated for, there can be no authentic results from this type of experiment. The danger lies in the insidious ways our culture employs to quiet our fears and control us.
All that is accomplished
with these studies is to confirm the same old cultural edicts: Gals
do gal things, necessary but trivial things (care for guy's comfort and
children, spend his money, buy cloths and makeup). Gals
= body orientation. Guys do guy things,
important things (rule the world, think, drink beer and talk sports). Guys
= mind orientation.
We can no longer tolerate shunting women to one side of the world-room. We know from history what one-gender-supremacy produces. We know from experience that gender equality works better. We must continue to demand that they make room for us at the table.
1998-023
Copyright 1998 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: TWANDA@ConnRiver.net.
G e n d e r G a p p e r s T M
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