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