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Gender discussion (Original Post) libodem Mar 2014 OP
Also the comment section libodem Mar 2014 #1
Ah, NPR commenters are a cut above the average unmoderated comment sections. Gormy Cuss Mar 2014 #3
It is just so interesting libodem Mar 2014 #4
Fascinating research. Feral Child Mar 2014 #2
Yep libodem Mar 2014 #5

libodem

(19,288 posts)
1. Also the comment section
Fri Mar 21, 2014, 12:23 PM
Mar 2014

Has some interesting replies. Comments regarding Feminism's influence are several comments down.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
3. Ah, NPR commenters are a cut above the average unmoderated comment sections.
Fri Mar 21, 2014, 01:19 PM
Mar 2014

That was a breath of fresh air.

The nature vs. nurture argument is often lacking any reference to malleability of innate tendencies and as one commenter noted, of epigenetics. This article and comments section was an interesting discussion.

libodem

(19,288 posts)
4. It is just so interesting
Sat Mar 22, 2014, 03:09 PM
Mar 2014

I went back to look over the new comments this morning. I enjoyed the idea of doing a comparative bonobo study. They are the matriarchal branch of the evolutionary tree. Those chimps are an ornery male dominated branch shaking, poo flinging tribe. But a cousin none the less.

Feral Child

(2,086 posts)
2. Fascinating research.
Fri Mar 21, 2014, 01:10 PM
Mar 2014

More study is definitely required though.

The ramifications could impact our gender wars.

I can see MRA sympathizers concluding that their theories re: dimorphism are justified by this research and feel empowered thereby.

I'd find that a faulty conclusion. Although I see a definite impact from biology and evolution on our relationship behaviors across genders, I don't think that (in our species) these factors outweigh our ability to modify our behaviors via culture. Put bluntly, we should be better than that.

Likewise, I feel that feminists that discount the role of biological and evolutionary factors in inter-gender behaviors are expecting too much. There are some biological imperatives that can't be over-ridden*, such as reproduction, and to expect that all behaviors can be mandated is naive.

That said, we need to give feminists (as an aggrieved class) the benefit of the doubt in compromises.



I'm still gonna shout "Son of a Bitch" when i whack my thumb with a hammer, though. I guess I'll just have to grant myself an indulgence for that occasional sin.


*There are individual exceptions, of course. My family unit is happily child-free. I'm discussing group behavior, not exceptions.

libodem

(19,288 posts)
5. Yep
Sat Mar 22, 2014, 03:17 PM
Mar 2014

I don't think we can say either or. A bit of nature and a bit of nurture. I hope we can continue to evolve so that the constructs of male or female behavior are flexible enough to fit all variations of our gender designs. It sure isn't a one size fits all, world.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Feminists»Gender discussion