Gender differences

Gender differences between men and women have been described throughout history. Many languages have adjectives to describe attributes thought of as characteristic to men ("masculine") or women ("feminine"). Not only are their physical bodies different, but there are significant character differences as well. This makes sense, because God made men and women "in his image" (Genesis 1:27) so as to reflect his divine nature. (Romans 1:20)

Although there are social variations apparent in different nations and times in history, broadly speaking it is possible to list traits which define masculinity and femininity.

La Griffe du Lion writes:

Men and women exhibit other behavioral differences which are apparent almost from birth. To some extent they mirror sex-differentiated behavior in animals. Boys are more aggressive, girls more nurturing. Female babies react more to facial expressions, males to moving objects. By adolescence these behaviors have morphed into girls' interest in social relationships, and boys' interest in machines and devices. Obviously, such divergence of interests influences career choices. Girls lean more toward fields like psychology, while similarly talented men incline toward engineering or physical science.

Social implications of views on gender differences

The view that masculinity and femininity are inherent (God-given) traits is disputed by feminists and some other social activists (see Homosexual agenda). Christian egalitarians consider gender differences innate, but classify them as part of the fallen nature, rather than part of the original creation by God.

Feminists have often claimed that gender differences are not innate, let alone God-given. They do this to bolster their argument that men and women should be treated equally in society. They want women to have all the advantages and opportunities that men have, and vice versa.

In a well known example in 2006, the President Lawrence Summers of Harvard University was forced to recant remarks he had made about the percentage of women in mathematics. Summers had suggested (in a private meeting) that the lopsided proportion might not be due to prejudice or discrimination, but a simple factor such as personal inclination or aptitude.

Relevant political issues

Denial of gender differences is part of the justification for the liberal position on issues including:

• homosexuality - Some homosexual activists assert that if men and women are equivalent, then man-woman and man-man unions are likewise equally valid relationships. However, Christian egalitarians (such as the Council for Biblical Equality) maintain that it is possible to believe in full gender equality while still condemning homosexuality as immoral. Equality does not necessarily imply interchangeability (see Complementarity without hierarchy).
• Women in combat
• Education - For men and women to ever be educated differently or seperately would be considered discriminatory.
• Employment - Women who refuse to undergo higher education and establish a career before having a family are considered by feminists to be victims of male domination.
• Transgenderism - To liberals all genders are one, even to the point that some advocate mixed-gender washrooms and changing rooms. (Note, however, that unisex facilities of this type are also sometimes built for other reasons, such as to save the developer the expense of building two restrooms at the expense of gender privacy.)