Do you think that innate biological differences in men and women shaped civilization...

T

tehabwa

New member
In some ways.

The fact that it's women who get pregnant, and have mammary glands has effected the roles they've been given.

The fact that "mama's baby; papa's maybe" is so has also effected society's treatment of men and women.
 
...and its practices? How?

This is a pretty tough question, and I don't expect many people to answer it, but whoever does with the best answer will get 10 points today.
 
These are not my words, but they will do.

THE SOCIAL ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN


In all societies the obvious biological difference between men and women is used as a justification for forcing them into different social roles which limit and shape their attitudes and behavior. That is to say, no society is content with the natural difference of sex, but each insists on adding to it a cultural difference of gender. The simple physical facts therefore always become associated with complex psychological qualities. It is not enough for a man to be male; he also has to appear masculine. A woman, in addition to being female, must also be feminine.

Read the continuation of this at the link below.
 
I'm not really so sure if it's biological, or socialization that shaped civilization.

Either way, continuity is paramount, when genders adapt to their surroundings. I mean, we don't send you out hunting/fishing every day to rely on food for the family, we don't [usually] plant gardens and rely solely on the foods we get from that, either [although, in this economy, a lot are relying on the foods they gather].
 
Sure, I think that's very likely. It would be hard to imagine it not having any impact. Proving that is extremely difficult however.
 
Almost certainly.

The irony is that civilization has reached a point where some people are so 'clever' that they deny obvious realities. The punch line is that the rest of Western culture has believed them for the past 40 years.
 
Yes. Men tend to be more assertive, more aggressive, and more interested in achieving positions of dominance, which is why societies everywhere tend to be run by men, have men in positions of authority etc. Even in our own egalitarian age you still get far more men than women in leadership roles.
 
Yes. Men tend to be more assertive, more aggressive, and more interested in achieving positions of dominance, which is why societies everywhere tend to be run by men, have men in positions of authority etc. Even in our own egalitarian age you still get far more men than women in leadership roles.
 
Back
Top