Running Head: Which Sex is Superior: Male or Female?

Which Sex is Superior: Male or Female?

Kevin M. Grecia

De La Salle University
Running Head: Which Sex is Superior: Male or Female?

Which Sex is Superior: Male or Female?

Human beings are divided into two sexes: males and females. In the past, possibly around
prehistoric times, males and females were on equal footing, meaning their position and relevance
in the society was on par with each other. However, because of the different evolutions, gender
discrimination became prominent at the start of medieval times, or even earlier. Around Ancient
Greece, women were not considered free people; rather, they were treated as the properties of
their fathers. And around the 18th century, Charles Darwin was one of the firm believers of male
superiority. Darwin himself concluded that the differences between male and female humans
were so enormous that he was quite surprised that such different beings belong to the same
species and he that even greater differences still had not been evolved (Rosser, 1992). This
proves that sex discrimination is not a new malpractice of modern humans. However, what is
sex/gender discrimination, exactly? Gender discrimination is any and every action that refuses to
provide opportunities, rewards and privileges towards a certain kind of person or group of
persons, due to their sex (Kusher, n. d.). Gender discrimination has always been present, both
towards males or females, although there is a tremendous difference between the severities of
discrimination towards females compared to males. Sex discrimination has always been an issue
to be reckoned with because it has caused quite a lot of problems; however, it is just a feeling of
superiority of one gender over another, thus creating discrimination and hate.

Some women, especially feminists, argue that women are superior to men in some ways.
According to Lazarus (n. d.), women of most cultures actually live longer lives (80.1 years) in
contrary to men (74.8 years). Another advantage is that females, because of evolutionary
childbirth, have a higher tolerance for pain compared to men (Lazarus, n. d.). It is also believed
that women can last longer, in terms of living, than men, because of the fact that their body fat
exceeds that of men (since fatty tissues require less calories) and women have less muscle tissue
in contrary to men(less calorie burning), thus reducing the needed amount of food to survive.
Also, women are less likely to turn to aggressive approaches, due to the simple fact that their
emotional intelligence exceeds those of men. Women may also be considered safer drivers
compared to men. Breaking of traffic rules are commonly done by men. Another thing is that
women are capable of remembering things much better compared to men. Recent studies showed
that even though men have a brain larger than those of women, approximately 10% bigger,
women actually have a bigger thinking part of the brain, possibly around 5% bigger. Lastly,
according to Wang, the memories of women are possibly oriented more, socially, than those of
men. It appears that, compared with men, women may focus and store events that are currently
on-going, go through the same stage of forgetting as men, and then be able to recall more
accurate details at will,. Releasing a surprise memory test, women were revealed to have
remembered more than men (Wang, n. d.).
Running Head: Which Sex is Superior: Male or Female?

Men argue that they are superior. They are bigger, taller and (usually) the money-maker
of the family. According to John Wijngaards, man's body is much better adapted to rough
physical work. Mans physique, specifically the broad shoulders, the prominent chest and the
bigger muscle tissues, proves that men are more suited to physical work (Wijingaards, 1986).
Also, men, using brute physical force, prove their superiority through aggression, simply because
they are capable. Even in animals, males are usually the one to be followed and the females must
obey without a single sound or action of complaint. But as of today, the superiority instinct of
men has gradually lessened compared to the 18th century. According to Darwinian Theory,
women, due to their smaller brains, are much more primitive, childlike, immature and possibly a
danger to civilization. These so-called Darwinists, a faction in which they considered men totally
superior over women, who were considered primitive, or less-evolved, actually tried to classify
men and women into two separate species because of the supposed intelligence gap, namely
Homo frontalis (males) and Homo parietalis (females) (Bergman, n. d.). Charles Darwin was the
leader of the self-proclaimed Darwinists.

Men and women usually argue over their advantages on one another. Males are only
advantageous in physical aspects while females are advantageous in both emotional and
biological aspects. According to Neel Burton, because men have bigger bones, larger muscle
tissues, denser and tougher ligaments, men are undoubtedly superior in the physical aspects,
compared to lean-muscled women, who have less muscle mass than men. However, in return,
women have more numerous white blood cells, and produces antibodies quicker than men. For
these reasons, they develop less hazardous diseases and succumb to illnesses for shorter periods.
However, men are less likely to suffer different disorders, namely post-traumatic disorders,
depression and eating disorders. But women are less likely to acquire developmental disorders,
such as Tourette syndrome and autism, alcoholism, psychopathy and anti-social disorders. Both
sexes have their own advantages and disadvantages (Neel Burton, 2012).

Males and females are discriminating each other due to the feeling of superiority.
However, women seem to be a much more common victim in sex discrimination. In 2009, 77
cents were paid to each and every woman who worked full-time for every dollar paid to men
resulting in over $10,000 loss a year. The figures are even worse for women of color. African
Americans and Latinas earn 62 and 52 cents respectively for each dollar a Caucasian earns.
Women are also more likely to be judged by their looks and how they dress than are their male
counterparts. On a note of contradiction, women are are discriminated for not being beautiful, or
that they are old. Also, in specific business areas, such as sales and publications, women are
Running Head: Which Sex is Superior: Male or Female?

being discriminated for not being sexy enough, as though not reaching the mens expectations
(Wolfe, n. d. ).

Although women are the more common victims of sex discrimination, in some rare cases
males are also being targeted. David Benatar's book is a brave or even foolhardy attempt to
balance the odds towards men. Men, surprisingly, have plenty to complain about. Men usually
partake in war more often than women do. More and more severe corporal punishments are
given to men compared to women. Also, in marital fights, women actually have a greater chance
in gaining custody over their child. Also, men are given less privacy when it comes to their
bodies. Lastly, men have to wait for their turn on lifeboats (Benatar, n. d.). Also, men are denied
some of the available jobs because of their sex. Women get priority over specific jobs, for
example nursing. Lastly, men are overlooked when it comes to gaining custody over their
children when relationships dont work out. According to the Department of Health and Human
Services, in times of illegitimacy or divorce, 92% of women get custody over her child. How
terribly unfair this is for men. Also, this causes children to be denied the role model a father can
be towards them (Murphy, n. d.).

Because of specific advantages each sex has over the other, it is safe to assume neither
party has the advantage. According to Agustin Fuentes, both males and females have the same
hormones, proving their similarities. Also, in terms of sexual behaviour, men and women have
more or less the same amount of sex in the same kinds of ways across their lifespans. One more
thing is that our genitals are also alike in some ways. They both emerge from the same
embryonic tissue. That means both are of the same origin and are physiologically similar
(Fuentes, 2012).

Men and women were created for each other. That has been indefinitely true since the
time of Adam and Eve. Men women were created to partake in conception together, as one. In
His wisdom and mercy, our Father made men and women dependent on each other for the full
flowering of their potential. Because their natures are somewhat different, they can complement
each other; because they are in many ways alike, they can understand each other. Do not envy
each other because of differences; appreciate those differences and make use of them
positively.(Kimball, 1976) Men cannot live without women nor can women live without men.
According to Boyd Packer, Except Adam and Eve by nature be different from one another, they
could not multiply and fill the earth. Genesis 1:28. The key to happiness here is the difference
between sexes. At time it may require the masculinity of men, but sometimes it requires the
grace of women (Packer, 1993). This creates a neutral zone, thus proving the saying No man (or
woman) is an island.
Running Head: Which Sex is Superior: Male or Female?

Males may have significant advantages in one area compared to women; however,
women also have their own advantages over males. Men can defend themselves much better than
women. Although womens lower body strength can be somewhat compared to men, the upper
body of males, in average, is considerably bigger. In a study of muscular strength, a team of
researchers at McMaster University discovered that men have twice the amount of muscle, both
in mass and strength, compared to women (Miller et al., 1993). Also, according to Glen Llopis,
women seek to give to others but also to their communities. Most non-profit organizations are
run by women. They enjoy living with the purpose of giving. Thats why the people around
them have their morale increased. This is why most women leaders are such excellent long-term
strategic thinkers. They are more focused towards long-term plans and strategies (Llopis, 2011).
Men have always relied on their strength while women always relied on their charms and
emotional advantages.

Sexist and feminist, these labels are false. We are all simply humans. Sex discrimination
has caused too much strife, both towards men and women. It has destroyed the self-esteem of a
lot of people and crushed the relationships of different genders. Which sex is the superior one?
The truth is neither of them. We are created for a purpose. Men and women complement each
other. Being male or female does not change this. Rather than fighting each other over something
that is not even reasonable, we should work together to prevent further sex discrimination. What
can we gain by fighting with each other? The truth is, nothing is gained. We just end up hurting
one another causing even more discrimination. So by achieving peace between the two sexes, we
can prove to be a much more efficient and proficient fighting force, resulting in the ability to
significantly improve our modern world.
Running Head: Which Sex is Superior: Male or Female?

References:

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taught-male-superiority

Burton, N. (2012)http://atlantablackstar.com/2012/07/04/battle-of-the-sexes-leave-women-on-
equal-footing-with-men/

Fuentes, A. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/busting-myths-about-

human-nature/201205/men-and-women-are-the-same-species

Kendrick, D. T. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sex-murder-and-

the-meaning-life/201206/the-7-best-things-about-being-male

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that-give-women-a-sustainable-advantage-over-men/

Packer, B. K. (1993) (Ensign, Nov. 1993, 21)

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