Do women tend to behave in an inferior manner because we were conditioned to do so?

Question

"In the presence of a stereotype that men are better, women tend to underrate their own performance, while men overrate their own, regardless of demonstrated ability. "We find that if you compare boys and girls, or men and women, with...the exact same scores on standardized math tests, boys think they are better than girls."

"...women in this group rated their ability as lower and expressed lower goals. Thus, exposure to a generalization about one's group changes the way one interprets one's own ability—and in turn shapes one's goals for the future. These effects, says Correll, 'cumulate over women's lives and result in dramatically different outcomes for men and women.' "

http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/dec2006/men_ambition.html

I think it starts at a very early age when boys are encouraged to be more more outgoing and emotionally stronger than girls. "Boys don't cry; man up & do what you have to do."

"Girls aren't supposed to fight. It's un-ladylike."

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think we are influenced by parental and societal expectations starting seconds after birth. Some women ( and some men) can break through it to find their authentic selves, but it is difficult.

i don't LIKE what you wrote, but i have seen many good examples of it- I think it is true in many cases.

My own mother ( a smart woman) advised me to "not let boys know i was so smart" and to "try to keep my grades down a bit" when i was in high school.

She freaked when i went to engineering school.
she wanted her daughter to be a well trained nurse, not a doctor OR an engineer.



However, i don't think it is women's expectations alone that are responsible for differences in professions, in pay scales, etc.

Answer 2

I totally agree. Men are programmed more to overlook emotions and just get the job done. While it seems women focus more diversely. While it says women feel lower about their accomplishments or goals, I find that ironic because try telling a woman she can't do something. if she doesn't know how to do it, she will learn and do it. Thats a good thing. We men seem to be a little more stubborn though. I don't know why we would over estimate ourselves, probably to keep our spirits up.

Answer 3

This holds true only in the Illiterate communities and Countries and not in the educated developed Countries.

There is a paradigm shift and I believe that the distinction that will remains between the two genders will only be the PHYSICAL attributes, the rest will converge and the discrimination will end

Is only a matter of time that Knowledge will dispel ignorance and the equality will prevade

Answer 4

Part nurture, part nature.

Women are traditionally the caregivers because they give birth to children. So they are more protective, and don't take as many chances, because if they are injured or die, their babies will die as well.

Men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors to show they are better mates than other men. It's the peacock phenomenon.

Boys by their nature are more risk-taking. They have to attract the girl in order for their genes to be passed along.

Answer 5

very interesting topic, but don't sell women short, look at all the contributions and what about the so called "behind every successful man is a good woman" ouch, i can't believe i just said that, forgive me!
and then look at the Bible for some guidance too
Keep on keeping' on :)
oops, looked at ref mat'l, seems axe to grind?

Answer 6

I believe we over-think everything. (it's in the very wiring of our brains) So, even when a woman does an awesome job, she's always thinking on how it could have been better.
Guys are more focused, when they finish a job, they give themselves an atta-boy and focus their attention elsewhere.

Answer 7

OF COURSE!!!! Women are conditioned from childhood to play with toys like easybake oven and to play house. boys are conditioned to throw balls and play frisbee. so of course after being told all your life that certain things are "unladylike," and that things are "unsafe" women will act inferior. as gwen stefani once said "I'm just a girl... and they wont let me drive late at night"

Answer 8

I think that it is a collective illusion that does not have to be.

I have always envied women as the life givers that they are.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 9

That's just a stereotype. All boys and men cry. It's not agains't the law.

Answer 10

It is not conditioning. It is the way men and women are hard wired. We are different in the way our brains process things. Our creator made us that way intentionally.