Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Three thoughts about gender issues

1. If anyone still subscribes to that tired stereotype about Women outgabbing men, science is not on your side. An Associated Press article, quoting the journal Science http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070705152953.htm

notes that in at least one study, men actually talk more. In other studies, the genders gab equally as much.

"The idea that women use nearly three times as many words a day as men has taken on the status of an urban legend," the article notes.

2. Other scientists, trying to understand the phenomena of Women smoking and Their lower quitting rates as compared to men, now hypothesize that smoking, for Women, may be a specific attempt to calm the frustrations and irritations of a Woman's daily life.

3. Lovely blogger Adena believes that a world of only Women would be one big catfight. But recent research has found that in the realm of humor at least, Women don't get Their kicks out of watching others suffer.

According to a Family Features article published in my local paper, "men [have been found to] like to laugh "at" others, while women are more comfortable laughing with others."

Continuing, "Women also tend to be more inclusive with their choice of humor so as not to offend anyone unnecessarily."

"Most men love physical comedy and simple Three Stooges-like gags ... while most women don't find that type of humor funny at all," according to Beth Murdoch, Director of Funny Cards for American Greetings.

3 comments:

Amar Mandair said...

Here are my thoughts,
#1 - I agree, men talk more. Women tend to say what they need to say in a few short words and some men I have seen just don't know how to express themselves so attempt to use every word in the dictionary until they find that the right one has finally come out!!
#2 - I agree, a woman does have to put up with alot...social, economic, political, personal, etc etc...
#3 - I disagree...I get my kicks from watching people suffer...my lashings are just as pleasurable for me as they are formidably frightening for the receiver!!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I think they're right about slapstick - at least, I have never liked it, maybe because I don't drink.

I'm not sure where I stand on gender talkativeness. My husband and I are both what I would call sporadic talkers, or maybe "binge talkers" would be better. We both have our chatty moments, and are also both quiet for long periods.

Since I got back from my trip Saturday, I have been having difficulty posting titles, too. I have found that it will work if I am manically persistent, but it seems that the problem is with Blogger, and not with us. I'm glad you mentioned it because I thought it was me.

Eastcoastdweller said...

In regards to No. 2, a quote by Joseph Conrad applies beautifully:

“Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men.”