Introduction
The definitions of sex and gender are based on biological and sociological differences exhibited by the subjects. Gender is defined according to the socialization of an individual. On the other hand, sex refers to biological presentations exhibited by the body of an individual. However, the main difference between these terms is that gender involves people’s behavior that arises from the way they have been brought up. Sex is a representation of gender based on biological factors like the reproductive system.
Similarities between Men and Women
Men and women experience pain when anything pricks them. This means they all react to physical pressure and pain whenever they are exposed to a hostile environment (Axelrod 2011). In addition, it is necessary to explain that while men may react slowly to this change in their environment women react faster.
Secondly, people feel hungry and look for food at least three times in a day. This means no one is able to resist hunger when he or she is exposed to it. It does not discriminate against anybody in terms of sex or gender but attacks all human beings (Howard 2010). This means that a person cannot be classified as a man or woman based on the amount of food the individual eats or the intervals between meals.
Thirdly, they grow and develop at the same rate when put under similar conditions. The growth and development curves are similar and they exhibit similar development characteristics whenever they are put in same conditions like diet, physical exercise, education and training.
Many schools used to discriminate against girls on the basis that they cannot handle math or science subjects. The society used to think that women lack the abilities to grasp mathematical concepts and understand various aspects of science (Axelrod 2011). Today, women are pursuing careers that involve math and sciences and engaging in challenging careers like masonry, carpentry and finance that were traditionally reserved for men.
In addition, men were also thought to be poor in languages and that they could hardly communicate in more than three languages. Women were preferred translators and public relations officers since they were thought to be more fluent and command language aspects more than men (Howard 2010).
However, this matter has since been disapproved and men are becoming experts in language and communication skills. It is necessary to understand that men and women have similar abilities to grasp any content taught to them by their teachers and instructors. The difference occurs in terms of implementing and applying the aspects of theory into practice.
Lastly, men and women are prone to anger and happiness depending on what stimulates an individual. No one likes being hurt but everybody wants to be happy. This means that when a man or woman is offended the person will be annoyed; however, this is not determined by their gender or sexuality. Men and women feel pain when hurt by those close to them and will do anything to ensure they interact with those people that make them happy.
Differences
Women are more emotional than men despite the challenges they experience. This issue has always been associated with culture and socialization aspects. Women have been cultured to exhibit weak emotions and react emotionally to disappointments in life. This explains why most women will cry just because their friends are sick or have been disappointed by their neighbors (Axelrod 2011).
On the other hand, men tend to exhibit strong emotions when confronted with challenges and disappointments in life. This explains why most men will rarely cry even when their loved ones die. A good illustration of this stereotype is exhibited in Mexican soap operas where women shed tears whenever they are faced with challenges like when a cat drinks the baby’s milk.
Secondly, it is believed that women and men have various levels of intelligence based on the issue at hand. Women are more intelligent in handling relationship issues and solving conflicts compared to men who are motivated by anger, happiness and joy. Women reason before making any decision whenever they are confronted with challenging issues while men think after acting.
This theory has always been proved right when angry men bang their car or bedroom doors and even hit concrete walls when an unexpected event happens. Later, they discover that they have spoiled these doors and injure their fingers. Women are slower to anger, and they explore all options before acting while men act on impulse.
Communication is an important aspect not only in relationships but also in solving various issues at home and office. Women have complicated communication skills compared to men. This has always been proved right in many organizations where women are customer care representatives and human resource managers. On the other hand, men are good leaders even though women excel in managing and organizing people to follow certain way of thinking (Howard 2010).
Although, women have not been given key leadership positions they play important roles in advising men regarding various leadership and performance issues. This explains the relevance of the statement that whenever there is a successful man there is always a busy woman behind him who steers and ensures he is on track. Women are known to communicate in both symbolic and direct ways to ensure their message is understood.
They know when to use images and symbols to communicate and when to tell their stories direct without using expressions. However, men are always direct, disorganized and careless in their expressions. This explains why a quarrel started by a man may not easily escalate into a fight compared to the other way round. Women use language to express their emotions, show gratitude and solve issues in life (Axelrod 2011). However, men use language to prove they are in control of everything and in the process they expose their underbellies.
In addition, women have various tastes and preferences in terms of food, clothes, furniture, vehicles, electronics and other items used at work and home (Howard 2010). However, men have very limited choices when it comes to these items. This explains why a woman may have heaps of clothes in her bedroom while a man may have a handful of them.
A woman has a creative sense of taste and can easily identify differences in a variety of products on sale. However, men do not pay attention to these little details and have no time to find out the differences in the qualities of products. They pay attention to prices of commodities while women are more concerned with quality, brand, manufacturer and other minor details.
Conclusion
Human beings will always be different from each other despite the many similarities between them. However, they must learn to interact with others despite their differences. Sexual, economic, professional, cultural and political differences should be used to enrich human relationships.
References
Axelrod, R. B. (2011). Reading Critically, Writing Well 9e: A Reader and Guide. New York: Bedford/St. Martins Press.
Howard, R. M. (2010). Writing Matters: A Handbook for Writing and Research. New York: McGraw-Hill.