| Males and Females are Different - Science Catches Up with the Bible by Warren Krug (January-February, 2004) |
The male gender puzzles many a woman.
What could he be thinking? Why does he spend so much time
working on his car? Why doesn’t he help with the housework? Why
doesn’t he listen? Why won’t he talk to me?
A social philosopher and author, Michael Gurian, says that the
answers to these and similar complaints lie not in laziness, sexism, or
sheer pigheadedness.
Rather, the answers lie in profound differences between the male
and female brain. And scientists now have the technology to prove it.
What could he be thinking? Why does he spend so much time
working on his car? Why doesn’t he help with the housework? Why
doesn’t he listen? Why won’t he talk to me?
A social philosopher and author, Michael Gurian, says that the
answers to these and similar complaints lie not in laziness, sexism, or
sheer pigheadedness.
Rather, the answers lie in profound differences between the male
and female brain. And scientists now have the technology to prove it.
Gurian’s book, What Could He Be Thinking? How a Man’s Mind Really Works, combines two decades of
neurobiological research with anecdotes from every day life including Gurian’s experiences as a family therapist.
He hopes to reverse the notion promoted by radical feminists that men have become redundant, totally
unnecessary. Instead he wants to improve relations between couples.
While culture has an effect, Gurian says biology matters more than previously thought.
When he goes places he shows PET scans of male and female brains so people can see the differences. A
male brain takes in less sensory detail than a woman’s so that men may not notice the dust and the clutter in the
house as easily.
Gurian points out the male brain secretes less of the powerful bonding chemical oxytocin and less of the calming
chemical serotonin than does the female brain. Also, male hormones make men more competitive.
While women may need emotional conversations at the end of a day, men just need to relax.
The Bible student will certainly agree with Gurian’s central thesis—men and woman are different.
God used different methods to create Adam and Eve. He gave them different organs. He has given men and
women different responsibilities and roles.
On the other hand, males and females are equally sinful and equally in need of a Savior. Jesus died for all,
regardless of gender.
Sin often turns the differences into problems. But with God’s help Christian men and women can learn to
understand, appreciate, and work around them. LSI
—Warren Krug, editor
neurobiological research with anecdotes from every day life including Gurian’s experiences as a family therapist.
He hopes to reverse the notion promoted by radical feminists that men have become redundant, totally
unnecessary. Instead he wants to improve relations between couples.
While culture has an effect, Gurian says biology matters more than previously thought.
When he goes places he shows PET scans of male and female brains so people can see the differences. A
male brain takes in less sensory detail than a woman’s so that men may not notice the dust and the clutter in the
house as easily.
Gurian points out the male brain secretes less of the powerful bonding chemical oxytocin and less of the calming
chemical serotonin than does the female brain. Also, male hormones make men more competitive.
While women may need emotional conversations at the end of a day, men just need to relax.
The Bible student will certainly agree with Gurian’s central thesis—men and woman are different.
God used different methods to create Adam and Eve. He gave them different organs. He has given men and
women different responsibilities and roles.
On the other hand, males and females are equally sinful and equally in need of a Savior. Jesus died for all,
regardless of gender.
Sin often turns the differences into problems. But with God’s help Christian men and women can learn to
understand, appreciate, and work around them. LSI
—Warren Krug, editor