GIRLS AND BOYS LEARN DIFFERENTLY:
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
From Parenting Education Newsletter February 2002
"Much of who we are is determined by body chemicals, brain differences, hormones, and then by society's efforts to honor this biology through its socializing influences." Michael Gurian
Pre-birth Male
- Predominate hormone is testosterone - growth, sex drive and aggression hormone
- Corpus callosum - the part of the brain that connects hemispheres is smaller
- Produces less serotonin - chemical that modulates impulses for emotions and drives
Infancy Male
- Looks at objects for shorter, but more active periods
- Gazes at mother half as long as female
- Unable to distinguish faces in photos at 4 months
- More easily angered
-
Less interested in soft, cooing words and singing
IMPLICATIONS FOR PARENTING INFANT SONS:
Pre-birth Female
- Predominate hormone is estrogen - growth and bonding hormone
- Brain is 10% smaller
- Corpus callosum - part of brain that connects hemispheres is larger
- Produces more serotonin - impulse regulating chemical
Infancy Female
- Plays with objects longer but less actively
- Play is more sanguine
- Able to recognize faces in photos by 4 months
- More easily saddened
- More comforted by soft, cooing words and singing
- More able to recognize emotional nuance
IMPLICATIONS FOR PARENTING INFANT DAUGHTERS:
Toddler Male
- 99% of speech comprehensible by 4 years
- Greater interest in exploring once standing is mastered
- More physically impulsive
- More likely to ignore voices
- Less able to multi-task
- Better auditory memory
IMPLICATIONS FOR PARENTING TODDLER SONS:
Toddler Female
- 99% speech comprehensible by 3 years
- Does not roam as freely as boys
- Less likely ignore voices, especially familiar ones
- Better able to multi-task
- Better visual memory
IMPLICATION FOR PARENTING TODDLER DAUGHTERS:
Preschool Males
- Playground activities involve more individual running
- Playground games rough and vigorous, competitive and aggressive
- Stories filled with excitement and action, ignoring victims
- Uses dolls for attack weapons and warfare
- Expresses emotions through action
IMPLICATIONS FOR PARENTING PRESCHOOL SONS:
Preschool Females
- Congregates in small groups of girls, often huddling together
- Playground games quieter and less active, more cooperative
- Stories pay attention to human dynamics, particularly victim’s feelings
- Uses dolls for playing domestic scenes
- Expresses emotions through words
IMPLICATIONS FOR PARENTING PRESCHOOL DAUGHTERS:
CONCLUSION:
Understanding how male and female brains are wired differently helps us to appreciate how both sexes perceive and react to the world around them. It is imperative that we use this information to help our sons and daughters become respectful, compassionate, and caring young men and women. Remember, gender fair does not mean gender equal. Given the biological differences between males and females, it is truly unfair to treat the sexes equally. Treat each child according to their needs and capacities, always encouraging them to stretch and grow
- Less able to recognize emotional nuance