Taking Sex Differences Seriously

by Steven E. Rhoads

Most contemporary discussions of sex differences assume that they are determined by society rather than biology. It is society that teaches little girls to be feminine and little boys to be masculine--society that tells women to respond to babies and men to respond to sports. Reflecting the fashionable idea that male and female roles have been "socially constructed," most commentators speak of gender instead of sex. Because men and women are virtually interchangeable, so the argument goes, men should do an equal share of domestic and childrearing work so that women can compete equally outside the home There's only one problem with this beguiling vision of androgyny. Whatever we might like to believe, as Dr. Steven Rhoads shows, sex distinctions remain a deeply rooted part of human nature. In "Taking Sex Differences Seriously," Rhoads assembles a wealth of scientific evidence showing that these differences are "hardwired" into our biology. They range from the subtle (men get a chemical high from winning while women get one from nursing) to the profound (women with high testosterone levels are more promiscuous, more competitive, and more conflicted about having children than those with average levels.) Rhoads explores disparities in aggression and dominance, in sexuality and nurturing. He shows how denial of these differences has helped to create the sexual revolution, fatherless families, and policies such as Title IX, and the call for universal day care. But while insisting that we must take sex differences seriously, Rhoads also advocates discouraging some natural tendencies, like men's desire for irresponsible sex, and encouraging others, like women's greater interest and talent in caring for babies. In this provocative exploration of the masculine and feminine, Steven Rhoads dispels contemporary clichés and spotlights biological realities. Meticulously researched and elegantly written, "Taking Sex Differences Seriously" is a groundbreaking look at the way we are.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Gender, Politics, Sexuality, Feminism, Biology

362 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book mostly infuriated me. Sloppy scholarship, a very clear political agenda, and an over-reliance on anecdotal evidence made Rhoads' central argument an even harder sell than it otherwise would have been: We should return to the gender roles of the 1950s. (If you didn't live through the 1950s, the show Mad Men is a good reminder of what being a woman would have been like during those days.)

But that's not to say that I didn't find portions of the book interesting. "Portions" might be overstating it, actually--more like summaries of individual studies. For instance, did you know that a girl's biological father emits pheromones that delay the onset of menstruation while a step-father's pheromones actually bring on an earlier onset? Fascinating.

And I also sympathize with Rhoads' assertion that the effects of the sexual revolution have been mixed at best. I do believe that there are few women who do not crave companionship and children in addition (or sometimes instead of) a career. And I can see how the availability of relatively "easy" sex prohibits many men from committing to marriage.

However, personal beliefs aside, I am suspect of the "evolutionary psychology" that leads Rhoads to many of his conclusions. Someone better versed in this field correct me if I'm wrong, but everything I've read in this area seems pure conjecture. Like a bunch of people sitting in a room saying "And then humans did THIS! Yeah, that makes sense!"

If you're interested in a scientific study of sex differences, there have got to be better books out there.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my all time favorite books. what a wonderful, thought provoking, engaging read. there is this distorted view out that that tries to convince men and women we are exactly the same and our sex is interchangeable and socially constructed. but male and female bodies were made to complement one another.. your body is not accident, your body express the person. and the author pinpoints so many relatable topics from title 9, to daycare, to how we pursue relationships, to hormones..i love this book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. I wish people would look past their own opinions that have actually been constructed by society and look at the things that naturally set us apart, things that have put men and women in two separate categories since the beginning of mankind, and see that they shouldn't be calling them "1950s gender roles" but rather "for all of time sex roles" and this book brings those hard hitting facts to life.

[Sommer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a feminist, you may not like this book. I found some of it a bit hard to swallow.However, if you allow yourself to open your mind a bit, this book gives frank insight into the differences between men and women and why we should spend more time understanding and embracing these differences.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me almost a decade to read. Some of it was interesting, but it was mostly exhausting and infuriating every time I picked it up. I don’t know anyone who has claimed that men and women are exactly the same. Feminism has to do with creating opportunities that in the past have not been available to women. Rhoads is also (mostly) addressing 2nd wave feminism (the media’s fav) which was a period that lasted between 1960 to 1980s. We’ve moved past this.

Rhoads central argument is that we should rewind the clock and go back to 'traditional' (pre-1950s) roles for men and women. I didn’t look at all cited sources but found that those I looked up were misrepresented and used in a sloppy manner in which to support Rhoads’ obvious bias he (naturally) refuses to acknowledge. He makes overly broad assumptions and stereotypes men and women.

There was very little written about men. Although, I did learn that men like competition (sports), sex and their career/providing for women. I find it improbable that this is all there is to men.

I find the problem with these types of texts is that they try to undermine who I am for the sake of who they think women, as a whole population, should be. They attempt to stuff me into a box. Individuals are complex. And even women who are seen in a more traditional light defy some of these boundaries placed on them. I want the right to be president or a mother if I want to be, without all my actions being seen through the lens of femininity. I want to be seen as equal and not some strange anomaly for wanted to live my life on my terms. Mostly, this book and other similar texts just leave me exhausted. I’m exhausted always defending myself and my beliefs to people who think women should only be a certain way. I’ve even dated men like this and it’s exhausting to know I consistently don’t live up to their standards. As if I’m doing it all wrong.

Easy read if you can stomach the subject matter.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Implied note from the author: Back to the kitchen and nursery for you, ladies; there's nothing for you out here.

[Lindsey Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically my whole philosophy on life into words. I love it! So insightful and true! Will anger many, but hopefully will help them in the end!

[Ericka Clou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unscientific and not worth anyone's time.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you thought you’d never figure out the opposite sex, Dr. Rhoads does it for you.

Oddly enough, though its length and title suggest textbook, Dr. Rhoads and his colleagues offer tremendous insight into the cognitive and biological differences between the sexes in a very straight forward and clear manner. There is revelation, upon revelation in each chapter, almost each page.

Dr. Rhoads main thesis being that due to a well-intentioned but incorrect pressure to be politically correct, biologically natural gender roles and behaviors have been suppressed, confused, and mistreated in our modern society. In essence, men are men and women are women, and their general behavior is dictated by their nature as such, a theory which is backed up by endless amounts of data and research.

For instance, in relation to dating, Dr. Rhoads’ study found that the common desire of a woman to find a “sensitive man” to couple with is, in fact, a myth. A myth generated by a wave of thinking out of 2nd wave feminism that called for the reversal of gender roles, i.e. women being more aggressive and dominant, and men being more passive and open, when in fact, survey after survey of young women found those traits of the “sensitive man” to be the least appealing. Anonymous surveys showed women like confident men that exhibited behavior such as interrupting them when they spoke, politely kidding them about innocuous topics, and blatantly flirting with them.

It’s usually one fascinating topic after the other.

There is, at times, a feeling of an agenda on the part of Dr. Rhoads to not just outline his findings, but disprove or discredit those of the 2nd wave feminist movement. Understanding that he’s needs some sort of benchmark with which to compare and contrast, he seems to overstep the line in one chapter on children by recalling admissions by early 2nd wave feminists that they regret not going through the process of being a mother. Unnecessary, and almost cruel move on the authors part since it provided nearly no evidence for his later theories.

Yet, still a highly engaging and fascinating read. It may not answer all of your questions on the opposite sex, but it covers a lot.

[Katrece · Rating 3 out of 5]

9/24/10 Dr. Laura recommended this book & a book by Christina Hoff Summers (on my "to read" list too).

Finished most of the book & it's really interesting.

Note to self (the book marks are between the pages and I don't remember which of the two pages has the quote): Go back & copy quotes from- page 36 or 37, 60 or 61, 76 or 77, 78 or 79, 90 or 91, 120 or 121, 124 or 125, 146 or 147, 170 or 171, 174 or 175.

He defines himself as an evolutionist and refers to evolutionary opinions several times, so I kept that in mind as I read.

[Yingtai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enlightening. He says things about male/female differences that people don't dare to acknowledge, and he has solid evidence for it. I think he's right, but I don't know what can be done about it. Have to admit it starts ploddingly, but the writing style is less of an issue as you go on.

[Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enlightening. He says things about male/female differences that people don't dare to acknowledge, and he has solid evidence for it. I think he's right, but I don't know what can be done about it. Have to admit it starts ploddingly, but the writing style is less of an issue as you go on.

[Joe Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facinating overview of a number studies documenting the ways that boys and girls are different.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good.

[Thomas Bundy]

Terrific Book!

[Bridget Jones]

I hate this man...again with the negative stars.

[Levi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for raw data and citations, but his interpretation of some studies is tenuous.

[Jeremy]

Recommended here (around the last six minutes of the video).