I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of the disparity between the lives of people of each gender around the world. The understanding is basically this:
Thank you so much for formulating an Op which is compatible with the description of the PD Forum as hosting academic discussions (from the PD Forum description under the index page)
[*]Averaged out, women and men have inherent genetic differences
As all other species under the mammalian category do. All being influenced by their endocrine profiles defined as male or female.
[*]Those genetic differences have largely created a patriarchal dynamic
I agree. One may safely assume that the role of hunter and the role of protector of territory, resources, food supplies, access to water was largely assumed by males due to their physical strength. With that role came the responsibility to formulate rules and laws. To also add the warrior role often motivated by the need for conquest. Once that need was achieved, it resulted of an empowerment of the conquerors into the position of rulers over... Is that part of what you had in mind regarding how genetic differences have largely created a patriarchal dynamic?
[*]The genetic differences have also caused a certain type of society to form, most of the time
[*]Those societies then go on to reinforce social norms
[*]Gender disparity, then, can almost always be reduced to a combination of the statistics of genetic disparity, as well as social norms which arise from genetic disparity
While it is important to not omit the rare exceptions illustrated by females who voluntarily and consciously formed female communities only, excluding males totally. As a result, such females had to assume the initial role of hunter, protector and even warrior. With the subsequent responsibility of being rulers.
Other exceptions when it comes this time to rulers only, in some traditional cultures regarding family dynamics, the elderly widow of the deceased patriarch, assumes then the role of the ruler (observed when I lived in Sicily). The dominance and authority her husband exercised on the entire family is now transferred to her. Everybody better be listening to what the matriarch has to say and it matters not if she is a frail tiny woman.
In support now of genetic traits influencing the role of women in a native culture such as Maori : big/strong, tough and "mean" looking Maori women were included among the warrior males. It is their anatomy reflecting physical strength and definitely conveying "don't mess with me" which made them candidates to be part of the warriors. Those who will go to combat to protect and defend.
[*]Neither social norms, or genetic differences alone can completely account for gender realities in a society, they are both intertwined, strong forces
Thought?
I agree. Further demonstration being the existence of gender identity variants such as transgender persons. Distinguishing themselves from a binary gender based society where roles are attributed or expected based on the genetic identity as male or female or biological gender. Such persons have to affirm their gender identity as male or female based on their experiencing of female or male gender identity which clashes with their biological gender attributed at birth. The term "gender variant" is still relatively recent and challenges the belief that the role of an individual in our society is to be conformed to the genetic or biological gender of the person.
Further, it challenges also the belief that males and females by the quality of being biologically or genetically female or male are better fitted for one role or the other. Such challenge is bound to benefit males who will to be awarded the custody of their child. Such challenge is bound to benefit women who have absolutely no desire to ever be mothers (in view of a stereotype already pronounced in this thread regarding women being naturally predisposed to be nurturers of children). Bound to benefit both males and females who so far were kept distant ,due to other stereotypes, from specific professions. Nursing comes to mind as a profession where for the longest time women were deemed to be a better fit. Which is demonstrably untrue. Thankfully, the number of male nurses keeps increasing in the US.
We only need to look at the military establishment to observe to which extent females were persistently restricted and contained to rates and billets which offered a poor prospect for promotion and via successive promotions reaching senior officers ranks. There too fueled by a stereotype that males are better fitted for military functions than females are. Which is demonstrably untrue. Thankfully females have now access to rates and billets which offer the same prospect of access to successive promotions as males' access.
Stereotypes attached to one gender or the other have unfortunately affected several generations while reinforcing the belief of a binary gender society with a specific character and demeanor which must be compatible with the biological/genetic gender of each individual. In such manners so many young boys had been told "boys do not cry". Bringing shame and guilt upon those kids because they are supposed to be representative of a gender expected to never cry when hurt, whether it be emotionally or physically. Males are expected to not show they are being emotionally touched or moved. If they do, they are called "sissies". As if there is anything wrong with shedding tears when experiencing grief or pain or joy.
