Does Gender Make a Difference?

    First, I would like to say that men and women are equal. One is not better than the other despite what may have been believed in the past. One should never downplay another because of their gender male or female. However, this being said does not mean that there aren't differences between the genders. These differences do not make anyone less than another. Biologically there are only two genders. You are born either male or female. Typically, though it is very situational, females have more tendencies to be nurturing and males have more tendencies to act as the provider. However we don't need to put ourselves in these boxes. The woman can work while the man nurtures or, in a more ideal situation both parents will nurture their children. Both of these roles are extremely important.

    Let’s talk about common differences biologically between genders. Females brains develop quicker than men's brains. They also begin communication at a far younger age. Nurturing is another part of females, something that a lot have from a young age. Not just because often they are given things like dolls but because they actually want to play with dolls and care for them. Women have the divine blessing to have children and nurturing is an important part of this. Females are more person oriented. Males on the other hand tend to be more thing oriented. As children males go towards games and play that involve destructive construction. The games they play are commonly focused on gross motor skills while young females focus more on fine motor skills. Women are more detail oriented while men are more general or global oriented, only focusing on the main thing. Of course in cases there are overlaps between gender norms but this is the general consensus. 

    Differences don't just exist when people are young. Scientifically, women can see more colors than men, as well as hear more and smell more. Women have more white matter in their brain while men have more gray matter in their brain. Even if someone decides they want to be the other gender there is no full possible way of this. Biologically we are different and this is not fully changeable. It is important to remember that even though we are different and we can better play different roles does not mean we are any less equal. It is important to do what is best for your own family. Maybe the wife wants to go work while the husband stays home and takes care of the children. Both parents could work and also both nurture the children. Maybe the spouse that doesn't go to work cleans the home more because they have more time at home. It is all very situational. However our natural tendencies depending on your gender are still there.

    In conclusion, gender does matter in the family unit. This is what makes the family as a whole more beneficial for children. Different people have different strengths that they bring to the table in the family. Now, think about your own family. How does each person contribute to the family and how their gender might affect this. How has one parent acting as the nurturer affected you while another acting as a provider affected you. Or maybe you had one parent that was both the nurturer and the provider. Maybe you had to fill in one of those roles because of lack of support in your family. Next, how will this affect your future family and what roles do you want to play that will benefit you, your spouse, and your children. Your spouse can do the same and consider how to help the family by fulfilling their own role. I hope that thinking about how gender makes a difference in the roles you play and help strengthen your own family.