Lonelygirl15

[Lurker]

[longlostposter]

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[Lurker]

[JustAnotherLonelyGirl.]

Alright, I've studied psychology and this particular branch of it pretty extensively. I haven't the time to read through every single post, but it appears the conflict underlying this debate is nature vs. nurture.

Evidence from both perspectives can be pretty convincing, but often biased. After all my research thus far, I have concluded that the two combine to develop personality and character. However, I will admit that I have been surprised at how much genetic and neuropsychological research has revealed about the origins of personality.

The roles of men and women have changed drastically over time as well as stayed fairly constant in other aspects. Women are instinctively nurturing, they are biologically preset to carry and care for children. Men instinctively look for women who will produce and care for children well. Women look for men who will provide security and protect children. Heavy women were often, in the past, seen positively because wide hips generally deliver babies easily, and, well it makes sense when you think about it (not gonna get into details). Overweightness has in recent decades become a mark of poor health - which would not prove well for childbearing. You could argue this is behind the shift in ideals.

Most men - if you ask them - don't find it attractive when a woman is TOO thin. Men still like their curves - I don't see that changing any time soon. In fact, the ideal woman has changed more in the eyes of females than males. Women are far more critical of the female body than men are.

Also, according to my psychological studies, males are predetermined to initiate sexual activity. This may contribute to the stereotype of men being horny pigs, to put it nicely.

Studies prove that there ARE significant differences in statistics between males and females regarding mental illnesses, theoretical opinions, the traits for which they search in a partner, the traits they aspire to be, the goals they pursue, the characteristics they exhibit, etc. I don't feel like searching for evidence, but I wouldn't pull stuff like this out of my butt. lol.

Whether this is due to environment, society, or biology is up for debate. But I find it is probably a combination of all three. But it is generally accepted among the scientific community that personality differences between genders have biological basis; the left side of the brain is more active, and often larger, in one sex than in the other (same with the right side). But I do agree that the way an individual is treated widens the spectrum of traits. However, personality is primarily hereditory, according to the research I've done. This adds to the nature perspective - that rather than becoming "manly" or "feminine" because of upbringing, a degree of each was predetermined by genes.

I would also like to add that many stereotypes can be attributed to physical differences. Women being overemotional - they experience more drastic fluctuations in hormones on a daily basis. I will also add, for shits and giggles, that men have a period each month in which their hormones rise, creating higher emotional vulnerability and, essentially, the equivalent of PMS - to a lesser degree of course.

Gender stereotypes haven't been erased from society. Even in the U.S., though many Americans dismiss it as a thing of the past. How many people view Hillary Clinton as a sweet, cute, attractive woman? How many people view Hilary Duff as a strong diplomatic figure?
Think about it.
_________________
"Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof."
-- V For Vendetta <3

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[Lurker]

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How did she bring up a STEREOTYPE? She was explaining an actual STUDY.

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LURKER

[Lurker]

Sorry. I forgot about this.

I felt like she was bringing up a stereotype because she was using umbrella categorization (even when she knew Jonas didn't fit the bill) and not qualifying how she meant it. She didn't try to explain that a combination of biological and sociological factors are believed, in accordance with "such and such study," to produce "such and such effect" in a general selection. Given how enlightenment is not exactly promoted on this kind of topic to begin with and misconceptions run rampant already, I felt it was ridiculus of Bree to not make the attempt at actually providing a context.

[longlostposter]

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Why caps? To express that I am yelling at Lurker... What's it to you?

Okay, I don't know what you are talking about. All she said is that women react to stress differently...

[longlostposter]

[Lurker]

[consideration]