Gender Differences Part II: Observations on Behaviors

In a previous blog entry, I wrote about gender differences in sensory capacities- vision and hearing. I knew it would be the first of several entries, because there are gender differences in other areas too, like some behaviors at home and on the road:

Finding abilities

Stories about primitive societies refer to gender differences in the roles of hunters and gatherers. Men were seen as the hunters of animals, and women as the foragers or gatherers- finding local plants and berries. There has been some debate as to how rigid these gender differences were. However, based on my experiences, and on what other women have told me, these role differences continue into current times.

Men have difficulty finding things in the house, even in confined places, like the refrigerator. For example, when my husband is looking for something in the refrigerator, he often can’t find it, and calls on me for assistance.  I can readily locate it in front on the shelf, or I can see it behind another item. I have heard of this difficulty in finding things in the refrigerator as having “man eyes.” And women have told me that this condition extends to other items in the house, like an inability to find reading glasses, the TV remote, and keys. In many homes, the woman is the designated “finder.”

Behaviors while driving

Many explanations have been proposed for the consistent reports that men are less willing to ask for directions when driving. There appear to be several reasons for this: some men may feel it’s more important to show their independence, and they like to problem-solve, whereas women may be more social and goal-oriented. But what I don’t understand is how some men use the GPS in their cars. They may be very willing to use this driving aid, but they are more likely to disagree with the directions provided and follow what they believe to be a better route. I, on the other hand, am very glad that I am being given exact instructions about how to get somewhere and eagerly follow the directions given.

Also, although I think that men and women are similar in driving abilities, why is it that when men drive the *&^%$# drivers all come out? Perhaps it’s something hormonal that attracts bad drivers to them. And when I take an Uber or a taxi, I am happy sitting in the back seat and relaxing, and thinking about my plans for where I am going. But men are more likely to stay on alert when in a car driven by someone else. They watch the traffic and sometimes make suggestions to the driver. Perhaps they are afraid that the *&^%$# drivers will find them.

I am certain that there are men who can easily find things in the refrigerator and women who can’t, and there are women who ignore GPS instructions. Identifying these differences with one’s partner may be helpful in dividing up daily tasks, so that common goals can be more happily reached- most of the time.