What difference does it make whether our differences are evolutionary (innate) or socially constructed (learned)?

What are the implications of this argument? Who wins, who loses?

If a certain behavior is supported by a biological determinant, like thousands of years and years of natural selection, it is viewed as expected and difficult to change. Although socially contrasted behaviors become deeply embedded within society, they are still relatively more malleable. In this manner, evolutionary psychology when applied to mating habits and gender differences - creates gender stereotypes that are actively harmful to the less powerful sex. Lets take the time to deconstruct the implications of the three evolutionary assumptions provided by the New York Times op-ed: Men are less selective about whom theyll sleep with; men like casual sex more than women; and men have more sexual partners over a lifetime. These three assumptions revolve around the explanation that women have more invested in sex, such as pregnancy and the burden of raising a child, so they become pickier about their sexual partners and encounters. The harm that arouses from the application of these assumptions is simple, and incredibly prevalent in our society: men win and women lose. As Gloria Steinem explains in her article If Men Could Menstruate, the same characteristic can be used to benefit the dominant group (i.e. men) and belittle the submissive group (i.e. women). If mens pursuit for casual sex can be explained by an evolutionary need, then their actions are easier to excuse. They cant help it; the desire is ingrained in them. The same promiscuity in women, unsupported by science, is viewed through a negative light. When men have multiple sexual partners, its typical. They are cool because they have conquered. In contrast, women are seen as slutty and used. This reaction is extremely typical in teenagers and young adults, critical developmental periods of time in which both sexes begin to understand how they think they should think and act around the opposite sex and their gender status in the world. This varying mindset on the sex lives of men and women results in shaming and even violence against women, especially in countries where women are expected to remain pure until marriage. After all, which sexs virginity is universally placed upon a pedestal, obsessed over and glorified? When hearing about a rape case, whats most infuriating is sometimes not the actual crime, but the intolerant response of law enforcement agents or the general public.

Adopting evolutionary psychology as fact also affects the lifestyle and career choices of men and women. While Inventive genius (comes naturally to men) and Greater tenderness (comes naturally to women) are compliments, the harm arises when

society dictates strict gender roles based upon these personality traits. If it is confirmed that women have an evolutionary tendency to support and help instead of actually doing, then this argument will be used to disadvantage them. Theres nothing wrong with a woman that enjoys nurturing children, just as theres nothing wrong with a man enjoying the same. However, both women and men should have the freedom to make independent decisions, not be robbed of the choice to pursue the alternative path (what is not expected of their gender). If the differences between woman and women are socially constructed, there is hope that they are flexible and can be ultimately shifted to embrace tolerance of all paths for both genders.