Friendly Debate

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

Rebel_SoccerMamma — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:43:12 GMT

Well I agree that men are physically stronger....

However, women got them beat emotionally. I know many people may assume because we seem to cry more etc etc that we're 'weaker' in that regard. It seems to me as if a man is ruled by emotions- they get sore and 'offended' all of the time like big babies. I know if another girl called me a "b*tch" I could get over it pretty easily but men are ready to fight, lol. They cant handle anything. I bet if the world was full of women there would be no wars.... but of course it is ran by a bunch of 'sore' men

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

atomic sagebrush — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:54:00 GMT

lissa:
Now, how often have you heard someone told: "Stop being so logical!"

I think people say that all the time, but they just use different words to do it with. "Stop being so cold." "People are worth more than facts."

In fact, I think people are criticizing logical thought more and more, and substituting it with emotional reactions and blind trust in authority.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

lissa — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:48:59 GMT

Not that I'm a huge Merriam-Webster fan, but I do believe it gives the standard definition that most people use in their daily thoughts and conversation.

Logical: capable of reasoning or of using reason in an orderly cogent fashion
Emotional: dominated by or prone to emotion
Emotion: the affective aspect of consciousness : feeling
Feeling: susceptibility to impression; often unreasoned opinion or belief [obviously there are other definitions listed of this too, but ones talking about touch or using "emotion" in the definition are either not applicable or pointless in this context]

These definitions have nothing to do with "education" verses "experience." I don't think I'm applying anything too off-the-wall when talking about what most people will think when we consider one sex "logical" and one sex "emotional." How often have you heard someone told: "Stop being so emotional!" Now, how often have you heard someone told: "Stop being so logical!"

I know that a lot of men and women do not feel patriarchy or sexism exists. My husband and I were just talking about this; we believe it's a bi-product of how entrenched it is in our society. My husband (who works in IT) was telling me about the project group he is in at work -- the supervisor is male; 11 of the people in his group are male, 1 is female. That's fine -- but he said that everytime they have a meeting about who they should select to join their group, the vast majority do not think that a woman belongs there. But, when asked if they don't think they are being sexist, they deny its possibility entirely.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

twins6boysinall — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:22:26 GMT

lissa:
See, what I think you're arguing is that logic doesn't necessarily mean highly school educated -- and I agree. I do however think that logic does have to do with being intelligent. It seems to me that you might feel that way too... like you are more logical (or intelligent) about raising children because you have them

Yes Lissa I think you are right. I guess because I am not school smart (yet I want to go to college like my mom did after my kids are all in school. She was 50 when she started collage) Sometimes I don't feel very intelligent. But I am when it comes to kids because I have been a mom and a day care provider for a very long time.

My DH is also not that educated some collage but not much. But he is the most intelligent person I know.

He thinks intelligently but he also thinks with compassion. He deals with people really well because he tries to relate to them I think. Maybe there is another word for it but he doesn't just think with intelligence.

I don't think men are smarter or think better than women at all. I really think in the brain we are totally equal.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

lissa — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:06:03 GMT

twins5boysinall:
Logical isn't always intelligent let me tell you. There is book smart and there is life smart. My DH lives it. In his field you can tell the difference between a book smart guy and a life smart guy because the books say this is how it is but in reality it isn't.

See, what I think you're arguing is that logic doesn't necessarily mean highly school educated -- and I agree. I do however think that logic does have to do with being intelligent. It seems to me that you might feel that way too... like you are more logical (or intelligent) about raising children because you have them.

So, I think labeling one gender as more logical creates the image that it is the more intelligent gender, which I think is wrong. Know what I mean?

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

twins6boysinall — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:56:46 GMT

Cat you are so right there.

I don't think men are any smarter than women.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

cat — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:47:50 GMT

In this modern world, intelligence is far more important than brute strength because technology and brains have pretty much equalized the playing field. For example, whatever edge men had over women when power depended on swords, has now been equalized by guns, and women are only held back by their willingness to educate themselves on how to aim. Since intelligence is the most important trait for modern society, and since more women go to college in this country than men, I'd say men are in danger of becoming the weaker sex in the future.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

twins6boysinall — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:46:58 GMT

lissa:

What does logical signify: intelligence, problem-solving, planning...

What does emotional signify: unstable, fuzzy-headed, nurturing...

That is where you and I differ. Ok one way. I know I am not educated like you. But that doesn't mean I am dumb either. I know you don't think I am dumb. We just think of things in a different light so to speck.

I don't think that logical = intelligence and emotional = unstable.

Logical isn't always intelligent let me tell you. There is book smart and there is life smart. My DH lives it. In his field you can tell the difference between a book smart guy and a life smart guy because the books say this is how it is but in reality it isn't.

Do you know what I mean? It's like parenting. My sister who is a school psychologist is very smart and has worked around kids her hole life. Yet has never been a parent. Do you think she is smarter than me?

She thinks so but I am a smarter parent. Books aren't always reasonable or reality based.

I think emotional is more understanding and caring. I would much rather have a president that was understanding and caring than one that was super intelligent but hadn't lived life and wasn't caring.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

lissa — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:32:44 GMT

twins5boysinall:
Most men and women do think differently. IT isn't a sexist thing. It is a reality. Maybe not all but most. Why do you think there are so many book written about it out there?

Because we live in a patriarchal culture and authors, often without recognizing it, are perpetuating these myths.

What does logical signify: intelligence, problem-solving, planning...

What does emotional signify: unstable, fuzzy-headed, nurturing...

Which of those two do you want running a business, running a country?

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

noboys — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:17:32 GMT

Men are physically stronger, but women are stronger in so many other ways, so I guess it's 50-50.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

twins6boysinall — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:38:31 GMT

Most men and women do think differently. IT isn't a sexist thing. It is a reality. Maybe not all but most. Why do you think there are so many book written about it out there?

Men are from Mars women are from Venus is one.

As for weaker I don't think so in most ways but strength.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

lissa — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:33:25 GMT

twins5boysinall:
They say men think logically and women emotionally. To me it seems that if you add what your heart is telling you that you would have a edge at times. So I think women are smarter in ways.

I don't think men are "logical" or women are "emotional" -- it's just sexist leftovers keeping power hierarchy intact.

As far as the question: Are women the weaker sex?

My answer: No.

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

Eden — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:13:39 GMT

twins5boysinall:
Mom2RJ:

I'd like to see a man go through pregnancy and labor, and then I'll answer that question!

So true. The human race would die out all together!

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

twins6boysinall — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:08:49 GMT

Mom2RJ:

I'd like to see a man go through pregnancy and labor, and then I'll answer that question!

So true. The human race would die out all together!

Re: Are women really the weaker sex?

Mom2RJA — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:04:58 GMT

I'd like to see a man go through pregnancy and labor, and then I'll answer that question!