[Zanni]

Weightlifting is an excellent example. It's not controversial in the least to say that men (on the whole) are stronger than women. And the strongest man will almost certainly be stronger than the strongest woman. But that doesn't mean a particular woman can't out lift a particular man. I see this all the time at my CrossFit box, where there are women who regularly put more weight on a barbell than I can manage. I'm not even talking about pound for pound of bodyweight either. I'm talking about women who are 50 pounds lighter than I am who can still deadlift 50 pounds more than I can. Some of these CrossFit women are strong.

[frickinLasers]

Perhaps it's not controversial in your circles. I realize this is anectodal, but I've dated two women pursuing a PhD in a STEM field, both smarter than me in many ways. The second I began to suggest the reason for my greater physical strength might be biological in origin, they both became completely irrational. They somehow believe biology plays no part in the differences between men and women--or maybe that there is no biological difference at all (?). Imagine the intellectual revolt that would occur if I were to bring up this GMVH hypothesis.

There's something about the "girls can do anything" mantra (which I totally agree with!) that seems to translate to "no girl has ever been less capable than anyone at anything as long as they try hard enough." Any theory or evidence contradicting that notion is nonsense.

[todd8]

I’ve had similar, surprising conversations with well educated women who believe that differences in physical strength between men and women have no biological basis. Maybe they were taught that; they didn’t have first hand experience training as an athlete in a strength related sport.

My daughter, who is very strong and is stronger than her brothers, wouldn’t even compete if she had to go up against men in her sport, powerlifting. It’s very obvious in that sport that sex related hormones make a difference.

[jnordwick]

I'm proud of you for only mentioning CrossFit twice. That must have taken a lot of will power.

[Zanni]

I mentioned CrossFit specifically because that's where I observed this. It's been a while since I've spent time in a traditional gym, but when I did, the men and women seemed largely (self-) segregated. Men on free weights, women on yoga mats and cycles, with some occasional crossover on some weight machines. I know women can get strong in traditional gyms, it's just not part of my experience. CrossFit has done a lot promote the idea of strength as a key component of fitness for women (as opposed to slimming). And if the price of that is having to suffer a few bros bragging about their WOD times on FB, I can live with that. Hope you can too.