https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:07:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-there-are-differences-between-the-genders#post-82854 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:00:50 +0000 Maysprout 82854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there tend to be differences but there's danger in pigeon holing. I think Americans have made great strides in broadening the concept of female. Unfortunately I don't think the concept of male is as inclusive yet. Anything other than hyper testosterone behavior seems to be classified as metro or effeminate or the 'dreaded' overly emotional by a lot of people still. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-there-are-differences-between-the-genders#post-82816 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:36:08 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 82816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do think there are differences, but I cringe when someone says that their kid is "such a boy" because he is very physical or likes to get dirty. We are constantly teaching our kids how boys and girls behave, whether we realize it or not.</p> <p>I'm sure I'll fall victim to this, too. I know that if we ever have a girl I'll want to dress her up and put her in dance classes, while with a boy, I'll probably encourage more team sports. I hope I can show my kids that their sex or gender does not limit their choices, but it's hard to completely eliminate all enforcement of stereotypical behavior. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-there-are-differences-between-the-genders#post-82775 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:49:03 +0000 MaisyMay 82775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are differences between men and women, and that's a good thing. Even though society tends to want to shun stereotypes, a lot of times there can be a grain of truth in them. I'm a lot more emotional that Hubs and he's always trying to fix things for me. That being said, he has his emotional side, and I am far more handy with a hammer than he is. He and I are drawn to different things, and that helps us to compliment each other. The fact that one sex tends to be more inclined towards something than the other sex is a great thing; it helps us help each other more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-there-are-differences-between-the-genders#post-82753 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:30:51 +0000 mrbee 82753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Obviously there are some physical gender differences (genetalia, secondary sexual characteristics, etc.).</p> <p>But beyond that, I've noticed that some people are quick to believe that there are differences in the sexes that extend beyond the physical... and some are not.</p> <p>For example, I will see some people say that boys are more likely to play with cars and that their little boy expressed an interest in cars very early. Then I will see other people weigh in and say that interest in toys like cars is often picked up from the parents: what toys they buy their kids, who plays with them, etc. </p> <p>Personally, I grew up determined to minimize the differences and to see men and women as cut from the same bolt of cloth. Over time though, I realized that this perspective wasn't proving itself to be that helpful or accurate. </p> <p>I started watching for gender differences more carefully and have been much more successful with my social and professional interactions. That said, I am constantly looking for exceptions to my observations... otherwise, it's just too easy to slip into gender stereotypes.</p> <p>Do you believe there are differences between the genders that extend beyond the obvious physical differences? </p>