Why do feminists often claim things like women are more 'altruistic' or 'empathic'?

Question

Doesn't that amount to an admission that there are fundamental differences in the minds of men and women?

Doesn't it also mean for that much women are more 'altruistic' or 'empathic' than men, they are also less of some other quality such as 'practical' or 'rational'?

Why do feminists often perpetuate stereotypes like this?

Rovale, you basically did it yourself in this question (where a number of other women did it as well):
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnVf3.pn7AaAKC370SZUKuAYxgt.;_ylv=3?qid=20071027121717AAs7bzM

Answer 1

It's simple.

Feminists want people to believe all of the good stereotypes about women & none of the bad.

AND they also want people to believe women & men are interchangeable.

Hypocrisy is quite strong with them.

Violent nature? ...yup, that's a "guy" thing. Nurturing? ...yup, that's a "chick" thing.

Women & men are the same EXCEPT that men are bad & women are good.

Feminism 101

Female supremacy at it's best.

Answer 2

I agree with you that it doesn't help to advance women's causes to perpetuate stereotypes, and that to apply virtues like altruism or empathy is pseudo-psychological non-sense. I'll avoid any discussion of the brain vs. the mind from a neurological, biological, or genetic standpoint, and just say (in response to some others that use terms like "superior" in gender debates), that there are differences between men and women, and people/cultures in general, and we'll do a lot better to learn to appreciate the differences that exist and benefit and learn from them, rather than get into a better/worse discussion that is usually off the mark and hurtful.

Answer 3

Many feminists do celebrate the differences between men and women... Unfortunately it's frequently at the expense of the men.

And there are some pretty obvious differences between men and women, and a lot of them are biological. For example, the left and right halves of the brain are better connected to each other in women. Unfortunately there are many that believe equality is the same as being... well... The same.

The stereotypes are progagated by many feminists, including my own sister, who generally think men have too much control, are unwilling to give it up, and are socially and biologically flawed.

Answer 4

a strugling for superiority?..... to try to promote certain charactistics that some women have as men are lacking.

I dont think ,and this is myown opion, that feministsare about promoting equality,but about alienating men and having mental battles.
I see feminism as angry resentful women on a witch hunt to kill everything , but the shell of a man.
Idont say that men are perfect - far from it.
But if you keep pointing how great women are, how much of a barstool men are etc.....some men will crumble but alot more will either switch off or rebel.
At the end of the day, what women wants a broken man to be thier partner?.......

Answer 5

Has someone been claiming that there are NO differences in men and women? Also not sure that we're provided a certain number of qualities therefore if we have this one, we can't have that one. Altruism doesn't really exist and as far as being empathetic, I am - but I'm also very practical AND rational.

Looks to me like YOU'RE the one who might be perpetuating a myth.

Answer 6

in my opinion it seems that feminists are out to prove that they are equal, if not in some cases better than men...

The problem is that they have the mindset that they still think they need to prove this instead of the mindset of how it already is... just like chivalry is dead, so are so many of the philosophies behind feminism

Answer 7

"Doesn't that amount to an admission that there are fundamental differences in the minds of men and women?"

Im pretty sure there are.

Answer 8

No, that PSYCHOLOGISTS who often claim those things, not feminists. That's because they have had extensively studied people's minds and come to those conclusions based on their findings. I really wish some people would stop throwing the words "feminist" or "feminism" at everything that bothers them about women.

Answer 9

There are differences between men and women. Feminism is about equal rights. But the truth is, men and women aren't equal. Women are obviously the superior sex. And they are superior to men in many ways, not the least of which is that they are more altruistic and empathetic.

Answer 10

To make people feel sorry for them.
Why can't women nowadays just appreciate a good slap on the butt?