Our Masculine-Feminine Misconceptions

Clearly women and men are different at genetic levels (such as X and Y chromosomes) and carry different sexual equipment. But beyond those obvious differences, I believe much of our societal thinking remains flawed concerning male-female and feminine-masculine characteristics. Sensitivity used to be considered feminine and competitiveness was considered masculine. Today some believe that we all have equal capacities for such traits as sensitivity and competitiveness. This newer belief also seems flawed and causes distress for many.

Women and men think very differently, on average. They seem to prefer different sides of the brain. 

We would all be happier if we believed that all so-called masculine and feminine characteristics such as left/ right brain thinking, intuition, physical activities, vulnerability, competitiveness, anger, grief, nurturing abilities, etc. were possible characteristics for everyone. I would agree that anyone who totally denies any of these traits is not fulfilling his/ her potential (probably in response to early training and trauma). That does not imply, however, in some hypothetical perfect society that women and men would display equal quantities or qualities of these characteristics. Instead, there is much evidence to suggest that there are inherent tendencies caused by hormones and genes that promote or inhibit these qualities.