Running head: GENDER SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES 1

Gender Similarities and Differences

Alexis Cox

Baker College
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Gender Similarities and Differences

Men and women have numerous strengths and weaknesses regarding their health, body,

and minds. Researchers have studied the minds and bodies of males and females for years to

determine the similarities and differences between the two genders. Men and women are raised

on societies traditional gender roles which has a substantial impact on both sexes. These

traditional gender roles are very evident in the way people see themselves and also the way

people treat others. Sex roles have created a strong influence on how each generation should be

raised and treated in society. Gender differences and similarities are observable in body and

brain function, socioeconomic status, stress and coping styles, and diseases.

The biology of men and women’s bodies and brains are very different yet similar at the

same time. Many biological differences between males and females are obvious such as height,

weight, and external body features. “There are several important physiological differences that

have critical implications including the susceptibility to different diseases and the ability to

metabolize different medications” (Ngun, Ghahramani, Sánchez, Bocklandt, & Vilain, 2010, p.

227). Men and women have different bodies which affects how they metabolize different foods

and medications. The weight of a person’s body is a result of metabolism and genetic lifestyle

which may predict the lifelong body outcomes of a person. Along with body differences, there

are brain similarities and differences between males and females. “The two sexes have similar

but not identical brains” (Ngun et al., 2010, p. 227). Both men and women possess the same

brain features and brain functions. Small differences between genders within the brain include

differentiating sizes of specific parts of the brain. These small size differences have important

implications for each gender including the influence of specific behaviors and susceptibility to
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disease. Men and women experience similar ways of living, but they obtain different body

functions and behaviors throughout their lifetime.

Males and females are treated differently in society and also in the workplace

environment based on their gender. Both genders have many advantages and disadvantages

regarding their socioeconomic status and specific evidence indicates that this status affects

overall well-being and quality of life for men and women. “Although women and men may be

similarly trained on an absolute level, specific gender profiles in the educational and professional

paths taken may account for (some of) the socioeconomic and income gap” (Becker, Baumert,

Tetzner, Maaz, & Köller, 2019, p. 2233). Both sexes may have the same educational background

and want to pursue the same career, but more often than not, females tend to search for a lower

paid job. Women are attracted to these lower income careers because of the key principles of the

job. For example, a job in healthcare that deals with children and the humanities is often a lower

paid career than an engineer or businessman. Men typically strive towards the higher paid

careers involving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Men and women typically

differ in particular social roles within society. “Women’s position at work and in the family is

less favorable since they carry a greater burden of demands and limitations” (Matud, 2004, p.

1402). Throughout history, society has tried to change certain social and gender roles because of

the unfair traditional roles that exist. Many people argue that women are treated unfairly and that

men are able to do more than women because of traditional sex roles. Women’s positions in life

are perceived as less favorable since they often sustain heavy demands from their family and

work environment.

Both men and women experience similar stress within their lives that cause different

types of coping mechanisms. Stressful relationships with partners, friends, and family can cause
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outbreaks of anger towards one another. Although men and women encounter many of the same

stressful situations, each gender has their own unique stressors due to social and biological

contributing factors. “Women experience gender-specific stressors such as gender violence and

sexist discrimination, which are associated with women’s physical and psychiatric events”

(Matud, 2004, p. 1402). Females undergo more family and home stress while men focus more on

work related and financial stress. The majority of people suggest that the impact of stressors on

each gender could be conditioned by traditional socialization patterns. Women tend to be

socialized to take care of the people around them and also protect themselves at all costs, while

men are socialized to provide for their family and have a stable financial situation. Males

develop numerous stress patterns because of traditional gender roles and gender stereotypes.

“Men may be at a heightened risk for psychological distress because of the gender role conflict

that can occur following the onset of depressive symptoms” (Cole & Ingram, 2019, p. 2). Studies

have shown that men often refuse to receive help after they develop signs of depression because

of gender role socialization. Coping mechanisms are uncommon between men and women

because of the way society has forced gender roles and stereotypes on males and females.

Women have the ability to feel safe and obtain help when needed whereas men feel frowned

upon for receiving help.

A variety of diseases and illnesses affect both men and women, but they may affect each

sex differently. Most illnesses can develop among both genders, but each sex can possess

different symptoms of a specific illness or disease. “Studies consistently find gender differences

in certain measures of health, such as anxiety, depression, and some physical illnesses” (Matud,

2004, p. 1401). Men typically hide their symptoms and feelings of an illness because of societal

discrepancies. Society dampens the lives of men because of traditional gender roles and
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stereotypes that subject men to feeling frowned upon for not always experiencing a healthy and

stable mind and body. On the other hand, it is known as completely normal for a woman to need

help for disease, addiction, or illness. It is considered normal for women to require aid for illness

because of societal expectations. “In a qualitative study of men with depression, it was found that

every participant reported efforts to conceal their symptoms from others due to the pressure of

societal messages” (Cole & Ingram, 2019, p. 2). These messages involved beliefs that depression

is not socially acceptable for men and that it is inappropriate for men to seek help. The study

pointed out that men feel pressured to keep their feelings to themselves because of societies

harsh stereotypes regarding sickness among both genders. These illnesses harm men and women

because of pressure from society and conventional gender roles that continue on to each

generation.

Overall, males and females continue to establish traditional societal sex roles within

every age group. Sex roles have created a large impact on how men and women treat themselves

and also treat others. Both genders possess similar attributes regarding their body, mind, status,

and health. Men and women develop differences among their bodies that separate perceptions of

how each sex should be treated by society. Researchers continue to analyze the minds of humans

to understand the many similarities and differences between men and women and how each mind

functions and reacts to specific stimuli.

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References

Becker, M., Baumert, J., Tetzner, J., & Maaz, K. (2019). Childhood intelligence, family

background, and gender as drivers of socioeconomic success: The mediating role of

education. Developmental Psychology, 55(10), 2231-2248.

Cole, P. B., & Ingram B. P. (2019). Where do I turn for help? Gender role conflict, self-stigma,

and college men’s help-seeking for depression. Lawrence, Kansas: American

Psychological Association

Matud, P. M. (2004). Gender differences in stress and coping styles. Personality and Individual

Differences, 37, 1401-1415.

Ngun, C. T., Ghahramani, N., Sánchez, J. F., Bocklandt, S., & Vilain, E. (2010). The genetics of

sex differences in brain and behavior. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 32, 227-246.