| What we can learn from observing animals. | | | | Some people think that everyone has to be the same |
| The limitations of using animal studies to prove theories | | | | in order to have the same value. But differences can |
| about humans are obvious-humans have numerous | | | | be acknowledged and celebrated without challenging |
| distinct differences from other animals. But what it | | | | the fact that we as humans can each make a |
| does do is boil down behavior to its biological | | | | valuable contribution to society. |
| component, since non-human animals are | | | | Consider this: Men and women are equally good at |
| unencumbered by the complex social, cultural, and | | | | problem solving, but use different methods. For |
| political issues that humans struggle with. | | | | example, in giving and following directions, men tend to |
| (Interestingly, the people who argue that there are no | | | | use distance and direction, while women use |
| inherent differences between males and females tent | | | | landmarks. They both find their destinations with equal |
| to be the very same people who insist that humans | | | | speed and ease. |
| differ from other animals only in our degree of | | | | Think of all the ways we can categorize |
| evolution.) | | | | people-gender, age, race, nationality, religion, culture, birth |
| With that in mind, let's see if we can learn something | | | | order, education, occupation, marital status, lifestyle, |
| from our "close relatives"-monkeys. It turns out that | | | | skills, talents, abilities, physical attributes, hobbies, |
| monkey toy preferences have been consistent along | | | | dreams, goals...the list is virtually endless. It doesn't take |
| gender lines with those of human children. In a study of | | | | a rocket scientist to recognize that members of some |
| vervet monkeys by Gerianne Alexander and Melissa | | | | groups are more gifted in sports, others in science; |
| Hines, boy monkeys chose the car and the ball, while | | | | some in music, still others in the visual arts, the culinary |
| girl monkeys preferred the doll and the pot. Both | | | | arts, the performing arts. |
| genders of monkey children seemed equally | | | | People are made up of many different identities, |
| comfortable with a picture book and a stuffed dog. | | | | combined in infinite ways, to make each of us |
| What makes a particular toy a "boy toy" or a "girl | | | | one-of-a-kind. Humanity as a whole would be |
| toy"? Boy toys are ones with the ability to be used | | | | incomplete without one of these "identity |
| actively and propelled through space; girl toys are ones | | | | classifications." Gender is our most basic, most |
| that invite contact. Boys' and girls' toy preferences | | | | important identity classification. It's the first thing people |
| seem to be biologically pre-wired, and this biological | | | | want to know about us! |
| pre-wiring is the "cause" to the "effect" of | | | | Food for thought: most of the famous scientists, |
| gender-stereotyping of toys-not the other way around. | | | | explorers, and athletes in the history of civilization have |
| In another monkey study, the males typically fought, | | | | been men; so, too, artists, poets, and composers; so, |
| while the females groomed and nurtured the young. | | | | too, dictators, tyrants, and mass murderers. Males |
| Females injected with testosterone in utero, though, | | | | have dominated nearly every aspect of society since |
| fought and behaved like males. | | | | the beginning, and chances are they will continue to do |
| Why do we all have to be the same? | | | | so. But "dominant" doesn't necessarily mean "better. |