Gender Differences

Without paying attention to the causes, do you notice any gender differences that might exist across most cultures? What are these differences?

Comments from past classes: Domestic activities vs. Breadwinning

Women “cooking, cleaning;” “work inside the home;” women “more nurturant”

Men “breadwinners” “providers” Note: comments on historical

change, on cultural differences, on societal expectations

Comments from past classes:Social, Emotional

Females… “more emotional,” “express emotions

more,” “cry more,” “interested in emotional connections,” care more about other people’s feelings,” “care more about what others think”

Males… “don’t talk as much,” “stick to themselves,”

“have less” (emotions), “keep feelings to themselves”

Comments from past classes:Aggression, Power

Men more… “dominant,” “physically aggressive,”

“rough,” “confrontational” “physically competetive

Higher incomes, fathers disciplinarians, protectors

Women More… “fearful” “calm”

Comments from past classes:Languages versus math

Women better at languages, English, reading

Men better at math (and sciences)

Your comments: fearfulness and risk taking

Women “more fearful” Males “take more risks”

Your comments:Miscellaneous

“Women work harder” “Women shorter” “Women into long hair” “Men smell funny”

Gender Differences

Possible causes Environmental Biological Evolution Possible Biological-Environmental

interactions

Gender differences

Qualifications

Variation in Gender Roles: Individualism/Collectivism

Commenting on gender roles of another culture

The role of economic development Coontz: Economic changes in the USA

and changing gender roles Male role as decision-maker;

sometimes different than in American context

Culture and Romantic Love What is romantic love? The desirability of romantic love (China) Marital love conceived of differently: South

Asian vs. European Canadians Seki & Matsumoto (2002): Understanding of

intimacy in Japan and USA  What predicts intimacy? Adams, Anderson, &

Adonu (2004); Marshall (2008) Immigrants to Canada & the USA: Generational

conflict

Marriage by Arrangement Why do people engage in arranged

marriages? Familism Objective factors more important

than subjective factors Easier for some people Trends