Reading: Gender Differences part 1

MALE/FEMALE DIFFERENCES OR SIMILARITIES

By Kristine Koetje-Balder

MALE/FEMALE DIFFERENCES OR SIMILARITIES

At the very beginning of history, God said, "Let us make mankind in our image..."

So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

It was God's plan to make us different from each other from the moment he imagined us. The original plan was to use these differences as a starting point for building intimate, fulfilling relationships. Unfortunately, what started out as an advantage has turned out to be a universal source of frustration.

MALE/FEMALE DIFFERENCES OR SIMILARITIES

It is possible to make too much out of the differences between men and women, but it is also possible to make the opposite mistake. If you want to have relationships that add to your life rather than make you exhausted, it seems that the place to start is with an understanding of the uniqueness each gender brings to relationships. (Farrel)

WHAT WOMEN SAY ABOUT MEN:

They don't share their feelings or emotions enough. It's like they grew up emotionally handicapped.

They seem to go into a trance when they're watching sports or when I bring up certain subjects. They're not able to handle more than one task or subject at a time.

Men seem to think that they can do things better, even when they can't. And they won't take advice, even if it helps them. 

They don't listen well. They're always trying to fix our problems.

WHAT WOMEN SAY ABOUT MEN:

Men need more intuition---get off the factual bandwagon.  

Men need to learn to enjoy shopping like we do. They just don't know what they are missing.

Men need more sensitivity, concern, compassion, and empathy.

I wish men were not so threatened by women's ideas and perspectives.

They're so over-involved in their work and career.  They want a family, but they don't get involved.

Sex - that's the key word. Don't they think about anything else? They're like a microwave oven. Push the button and they're cookin'. Their on button is never off.

WHAT MEN SAY ABOUT WOMEN:

They're too emotional.  

They need to be more logical.

How can they spend so much time talking?  When it's said, it's said. So many of them are expanders. I wish they would get to the bottom line quicker and at least identify the subject.

Why do they cry so easily? It does not make sense to me.

I think most women are shopaholics. Their eyes glaze over when they see a shopping mall.

WHAT MEN SAY ABOUT WOMEN:

They're so changeable. I wish they would make up their minds and then keep them made up.

Maybe they think we can read minds, but we can't. I don't think they can either.

What's wrong with the sex drive? Sex is great, only they don't have that much interest. It takes forever to get them interested.

They think they have the spiritual gift of changing men. 

WHAT MEN SAY ABOUT WOMEN:

They ought to quit. We can't be fixed and we don't need to be.

They're so involved with other people and their problems.

Women are moody and negative. You can't satisfy them.

I wish they would leave some things alone. They're always trying to fix something that isn't broken. (Wright)