[axod]

> like they should behave a particular way because of their genitals?

Come on. There are countless studies that show the biological differences between the sexes and the way their brains work. It's not rocket science.

If you believe in evolution, surely you believe that over time, the female and male brains have developed for different functions. I've never understood why people disbelieve this and try to pretend that the sexes are identical.

[Cushman]

I'm discussing one such study in a sibling thread. I'd be happy to do the same here if you have one you feel is persuasive.

[axod]

Show me a study that proves that men and women think in exactly the same ways and that there are no biological differences in their programming.

I really can't understand how anyone who accepts evolution (Surely most people), but doesn't accept the idea that perhaps the female and male minds have evolved and optimized to different things.

Given that we have obvious and numerous physical differences, it seems terribly unlikely that we have no mental differences. Especially given that physically and internally the sexes brains differ quite a lot (size, weight, number of neurons etc).

For example:

  Number of neocortical neurons (females) = 19.3 billion
  (Pakkenberg, B., Pelvig, D., Marner,L., Bundgaard, M.J.,
  Gundersen, H.J.G., Nyengaard, J.R. and Regeur, L. Aging
  and the human neocortex. Exp. Gerontology, 38:95-99, 2003
  and Pakkenberg, B. and Gundersen, H.J.G. Neocortical
  neuron number in humans: effect of sex and age. J. Comp.
  Neurology, 384:312-320, 1997.)

  Number of neocortical neurons (males) = 22.8 billion
  (Pakkenberg et al., 1997; 2003)

Males were traditionally hunters, which is why they have greater spacial abilities. Women were traditionally carers, which is why they have greater communicative and caring ability. This isn't cutting edge stuff. Look up the numerous studies. Look at the anecdotal evidence.

I think that if you disagree with the above, there's no point continuing. It'd be like trying to argue with someone who denies evolution.

I completely get that we should not discriminate UNFAIRLY based on any attribute of anyone. But to deny obvious differences that clearly exist is just silly.

[argv_empty]

Show me a study that proves that men and women think in exactly the same ways and that there are no biological differences in their programming.

"The following specific differences in behavior are attributable to biological differences between male and female: _____" is a rather different claim from "There exist biological differences between male and female." I believe the former claim is the one being challenged. Disproof of the latter claim, while sufficient to disprove the former, is not strictly necessary.

[Cushman]

Okay, again, you said there were studies. That means you have to find them, not me.

[axod]

Google is your friend. I'm not about to spoon feed you common sense, just like I can't be bothered to find studies that show the earth isn't flat right now.

And if you're serious, you have to respond to all my other points. For example:

  Do you believe that evolution exists
  Do you accept that women are physically different to men
  Do you accept that womens brains are different to mens

We're talking scientifically here. On average.

Is it racist to say most basketball players are black due to them being on average taller? Or maybe you think their extra height is caused by their environment :/

[Cushman]

Your world may in fact be flat: http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/users/spence/Feng,%20Spence,%20...

Since you mentioned spatial awareness, you'll probably like this one. Having both groups play Medal of Honor for only 10 hours total narrowed the spatial gender gap into nonsignificance, with women benefitting much more than men. The benefits were still visible months later, without any instruction to continue playing.

Considering the wildly different toys and games we encourage boys and girls to play from infancy through adolescence, to say that this calls the idea that the spatial gender gap is genetic into question is quite an understatement.

So, uh... got any evidence that it is?

[axod]

So, decided to completely ignore all my points and evidence about physical differences in the brain between the sexes, evolution etc eh?

I think we're getting nowhere here. You clearly have an agenda to follow rather than a desire to find out the 'truth'.

I'm also guessing from your comment about toys that you don't have kids yet.