Gender Differences: Biological or Sociological - Coursework Example

GENDER DIFFERENCES: BIOLOGICAL OR SOCIOLOGICAL Speaking at a conference in January 2005, Harvard s president, Lawrence Summers re-opened the debate on gender differences when he said, “ research in behavioural genetics is showing that things previously attributed to socialisation weren’t due to socialisation after all”(AP, Guardian). He also went on to add that biological differences were at the root of fewer women opting for careers in the sciences. These remarks caused a flute in academic circles and served a catalyst to re-examine the traditional views on the subject. Although many people were aghast that a leading academician should make such a politically sensitive and incorrect statement, it is equally true that the career paths of men and women differ significantly, and that these differences are not restricted to the scientific alone. These differences are aggravated by the fact that, “women also tend to receive less compensation than their male counterparts, advance within the organization at a slower rate, and generally interrupt their professional careers in order to devote time to raising a family” (Gupton & Slick, 1996). It is also believed that women have different leadership styles due, “women’s interests in personal contacts, drive to achieve interpersonal harmony, and their tendency to work and play in egalitarian teams versus men’s sensitivity to social dominance and their need to achieve rank in real or perceived hierarchies”(EPAA). But whether this difference is biological or sociological remains to be proved. To address some of these issues, Harvard University’s ‘Mind, Brain Behaviour (MBB) Initiative held a discussion on sex differences between men and women and how these could affect career choices. The MBB debate on ‘The Science of Gender and Science’ was “ …on research on mind, brain, and behaviour that may be relevant o gender disparities in the sciences, including the studies of bias, discrimination and innate and acquired differences between the sexes”(ESE). The discussion threw up some interesting points and while many facts and figures were quoted, the interpretations differed, leaving the field wide open. Biological Gender Differences On a purely psychological level there are two ways to explain basic gender differences, namely the ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ viewpoints. At the extreme ends of these viewpoints, the ‘nature’ position is that males have certain innate talents and characteristics that make them more suitable for certain types of work. On the other hand, the ‘nurture’ viewpoint is that there are no fundamental biological differences between males and females and that the so-called differences are due to social factors like gender profiling and stereotypes. Diane Halpern, president of the American Psychological Association has stated that, “There are…sizeable differences with respect to some cognitive abilities. Socialization practices are undoubtedly important, but there is also good evidence that biological sex differences play a role…”(ESE). Thus the ‘nature’ stand gains some credibility. Right at the outset, one has to admit that sex differences do exist. Apart from the obvious and purely physical differences are the ingrained genetic ones like being attracted to members of the opposite sex, as well as different levels of skills in various spheres of human endeavor. This in no way implies that women are in any manner inferior to men. In fact, there are many attributes in which women outperform men, e.g. in timed tests. Researchers at the Vanderbilt University found that, “ males scored lower than females in all age groups in tests measuring processing speeds…[but also that]…males consistently outperformed females in some verbal abilities”(VUPR). Further research is planned since the researchers believe that there are, “different paths to competence, and we believe that there are fundamental differences in hoe male and female brains end up getting organized”(VUPR). The follow up studies include using tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine which brain areas are involved in processing information and whether these are different in males and females. It is possible that some of the most obvious differences like men being more comfortable with ‘things’ and women with ‘people’ may have some socialization reasons also, but to say that biology has no role to lay will be incorrect. This is borne out by the fact that, firstly, many sex differences are seen in mammals also, where there are no socialization influences. Secondly, many of these changes have remained through the ages in spite of attempts to change them. Thirdly, some of these changes emerge very early in life, i.e. before social or cultural biases can set in, and lastly, boys brought up as girls (and vice-versa), continue to exhibit the traits of their real gender. Sociological Gender Differences The other factor that accounts for gender differences is the nurture’ factor which believes that, “social forces, including overt and covert discrimination and social influences lead men and women to develop different skills and different priorities”(ESE), and that biological factors have no role to play. Proponents of the ‘nature’ theory claim that firstly, boys are better with ‘objects and mechanical things’, girls with ‘people and emotion’. Secondly, that boys are better at mathematical reasoning and spatial resolution. However, a more detailed study reveals that this is not necessarily so and if indeed there are any differences, the reason is sociological. Babies, both male and female are equally attracted to people and objects. Differences if any are small and cannot be generalized. Similarly formal mathematics is a civilization related development and has nothing to do with biology or evolution. Hence if there are any differences in mathematical abilities between genders, it has to be because of socialization reasons. In fact, research in the field of cognitive development, especially mathematical ability show that most skills are well developed within the first four years of a child’s life. In these formative years of development, there are no significant differences between the abilities displayed my boys and girls. If there are departures from these standards at a later stage of a child’s development, then it is obvious that these are due to socialization factors. Parents’ predictions of test scores tend to favor boys in spite of the fact that actual test results show no difference. The difference lies in the perception and expectations that parents and society in general has of boys. In one study, for example, a group of parents and volunteers were shown the same babies in the same setting. The babies were given ‘boy’ names for half the volunteers and ‘girl’ names for the others half. Whenever the baby performed some action the group that had been given ‘boy’ names gave manly attributes and interpretations, quite contrary o the actual sex of the baby. This is a classic case of gender labeling wherein, “children with male names were more likely to be rated s strong, intelligent, and active; those with female names were more likely to be rated as little, soft. And so forth”(ESE). Hence the moment a child is born and throughout its progression to adulthood it is subject to these overt and covert influences resulting in differences in the way men and women are perceived in spite of showing the same traits and competencies. Comments There is no doubt that there exist some differences between males and females. Whether these differences are biological or sociological is difficult to assess. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, with no place for extreme positions. There may have been some essential biological differences to start with e.g. males on an average tend to be taller than females. But that does not mean that there are no females at all who are taller than some men at least. Similarly, in the most successful and high pressure jobs there will be men as well as women, but the requirement of taking time off for rearing families will automatically result in fewer women at the top. The same reason may also account for career choices, with women opting for careers that allow for quality time with their families. Some of the so-called biological differences have reduced over time, as ‘brawn’ power gives way to ‘brain power’. Whatever be the true reason, the differences are more psychological in nature based on differences in perception and gender conditioning. Boys are told not to cry, girls ‘are made of sugar and spice and all things nice’. However rather than dwell on these differences it would be better to appreciate these differences that complement one another. Most researchers agree however, that “the either/or, male/female dichotomy is too simplistic and that a multidimensional approach, which examines context, ethnicity, and other factors is required…[to account for gender differences]” (EPAA). In the final analysis, the world would be an extremely boring place if all people were to think and act in the same manner. As the French saying goes, “Vive la Difference”. Works Cited AP, Guardian, “Harvard head says male scientists the best”. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Harvard-head-says-male-scientists-the-best/2005/01/18/1105810913548.html Edge Special Event (ESE). “ The Science of Gender and Science – A Debate”. Retrieved from http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/debate05/debate05_index.html Education Policy Analysis Archives (EPAA). “Gender Related Differences in Career Patterns of Principals in Alabama: A Statewide Study”. Retrieved from http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v8n9.html Gupton, S.L., & Slick, G.A. (1996). “Highly successful women administrators: The inside stories of how they got there”. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. Vanderbilt University Press Release (VUPR). “ Girls Have Big Advantage Over Boys On Timed Tests”. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060425182707.htm Read More