A study has revealed that, from early childhood, girls tend to outperform boys in academic subjects, vocabulary and linguistic proficiency.
Long ago, I wrote an article in Bengali titled “Women Are Generally Shorter Than Men — But Why?” This article generated thousands of clicks.
While it is certainly gratifying to think about, I find myself wondering: What percentage of those clicks came from women versus men?
In the realm of writing and reading novels, the term “chick lit” is commonly used — a label that was, in fact, once applied to the works of Hemingway. This implies that his novels were predominantly read by women.
A similar dynamic may well apply to other writers around the world. Surveys conducted in the United States, Canada and Britain have revealed that only 20% of men read fiction.
According to psychologists, the role of the brain is the primary factor behind these gender differences. Indeed, the brain serves as the central driving force of the human body. In the event of brain death, a person is reduced to a “vegetative state” — a condition in which continued existence holds no meaningful purpose. It is the active brain that gives rise to the distinct variations in the thoughts, attitudes and behaviors of men and women. With few exceptions, women tend to be intensely emotional and empathetic; consequently, it is only natural that they would find pleasure in reading fiction.
A study conducted in 1942 demonstrated that, from a very young age, girls surpass boys in academic performance, vocabulary acquisition and linguistic skills. A more recent global study conducted in 2012 yielded similar findings. However, reading habits have generally declined among both boys and girls. Furthermore, as individuals age, the disparity in reading habits between men and women tends to narrow.
Scientists have conducted extensive research into the processing mechanisms, neurochemistry, structural composition and functional activity of the male and female brains. Fundamentally, these biological factors govern the thought processes of men and women. It is often said that men utilize “gray matter” — meaning they process information locally and with singular focus — whereas women utilize “white matter,” enabling them to multitask with greater ease.
A chemical analysis of the brain yields the answers to almost everything. Although the same neurotransmitters — specifically various hormones such as serotonin, which regulates mood and social behavior and even aids in maintaining focus; oxytocin, a chemical associated with bonding; testosterone, linked to sexuality and aggression; and estrogen, which governs female physical development and reproduction — are active in both sexes, it is the quantitative differences in these substances that distinguish women from men.
When teaching about hormones, I often say: “You are what you secrete.”
Structurally, the female brain features a larger hippocampus, the region responsible for regulating memory. Furthermore, the female brain possesses “verbal centers” on both hemispheres, whereas in men, these centers are located exclusively on the left side. Thus, despite being physically smaller than men, women enjoy a distinct advantage in terms of brain architecture. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, women often encounter significant difficulty in interpreting maps or navigating roadways.
In short, one might characterize men as physical beings and women as contemplative beings. For women, the journey proceeds from the emotional realm to the physical; that is to say, emotional arousal serves as the catalyst for physical awakening. Fundamentally, for women, emotions and feelings take precedence, while the physical aspect comes second. For men, conversely, the dynamic is precisely the opposite. Ultimately, however, it is perhaps those couples who manage to strike a balance between these two dynamics who most easily attain happiness.
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, is a retired chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences professor at Mississippi University for Women. He writes occasional columns in The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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