Exposition-+Yongzhi

Q1. "Women are from Venus and Men are from Mars". Are men and women truly from different planets?



Men and women have had long-standing differences – both natural and synthesized – which have resulted in gender stereotypes formed across history. While equalization of gender roles is being pushed for by various feminists (owing to the fact that men have traditionally had dominance over the fairer folk), we can note key remnant differences that show starkly despite efforts to erase them. This essay contends that the apparent contrast makes all the difference, and men and women are //not// indeed “from different planets” (we assume this phrase to mean, fundamentally and irrevocably different). This essay works on four basic premises, which justify the points made: firstly, men and women are biologically different; second, men and women have had differing upbringings; third, men and women generally conform to certain societal expectations and underlying stereotypes of their various gender roles; and finally, such societal expectations are shaped by their fundamental biological differences.

Men and women are extremely different in character. These show up most clearly in an uncontrolled environment: preschool. Boys tend to be more outgoing, rougher and noisier, especially when placed in a group. Girls instead prefer to keep quiet and remain reserved, projecting a demure and elegant image. This difference in character shows clearly, and is likely derived from their basic biological differences – while males are built to be stronger and tougher, girls aptly fit the image of grace. The difference in character establishes our second premise. The influences on upbringing and experiences for males and females are markedly dissimilar: due to their difference in character, boys and girls are brought up differently. While boys are encouraged to play games, girls are frowned upon for getting sweaty in a soccer game. Likewise, guys would be mocked mercilessly for picking up needlework or Barbie dolls.

The second fundamental difference we can find is in the familial role of males and females. Essentially, while males generally adopt the role of breadwinner, females are encouraged to lay back and relax, or at most to take on minor jobs. The men are the big cheese, and they earn the dough so the women keep the cottage cleaned. This also gives the right of veto and final decision to the men, who are the masters of the household, even though the women control the purse-strings. Again, these differences can be noted to be direct implications of our premises: since men and women are brought up differently, they expect to have different roles to fill, and these are determined traditionally by their biological differences. Naturally, with progress and revolution, women are beginning to emerge as a dominant force, but the essential familial roles remain different from now.

The final fundamental difference we note is that of the societal positions held by males and females. Mostly, we’d expect males to fill positions of higher authority, and this is especially true in relatively conservative countries such as Iran, Singapore, China, North Korea and Japan.