Gender has become a hot topic today. As with all hot topics, we often end up “dying on a hill” of simplified rhetoric and avoiding the nuanced truth. Is gender socially constructed or hardwired? Yes, it is both. Some aspects of feminine and masculine characteristics vary from culture to culture and, as a result, are socially defined. For instance, male and female roles vary between cultures.

At the same time, some gender differences appear hard-wired. For instance, consider the implications of a few of the studies suggesting hardwired differences.

• Most recently, researchers at Stanford University examined the brains of about 1500 young adults between 20 and 35 years old. These examinations revealed several brain areas that exhibited significant male/female differences. The brain “fingerprints” of the male brains were distinctly different from the “fingerprints” of their female counterparts. This study also found models of brain connectivity (mapped using fMRI’s) that could predict various cognitive functions like intelligence. But models based on male brains did not predict female intelligence, only male intelligence. Likewise, models based on female brains did not predict male intelligence, only female intelligence. In other words, brain areas that help predict intelligence differ in men and woman, the “brain determinants” of intelligence differ according to gender.
• A study published in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience examined the brain connectivity of unborn children. This study observed “developmental differences between males and females in fetal brain network” connectivity between 25-38 weeks gestational age (in-utero). These early differences support differences in future brain development as well.
• A third study, published in Nature, suggests that gene expression varies by gender in certain brain areas. The differences noted in this study began in-utero.

Once again, this is not to say that culture does not impact our view of gender. Culture can impact gender roles, gender differences in emotional expression, and even interests pursued by males and females. These cultural influences can even pigeonhole and hinder men and women from contributing their full measure to society. Still, let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We, especially parents, benefit from recognizing the hardwired differences as well as the culturally influenced differences. For instance,

• We benefit from the knowledge that males tend to be more active and physical than females. Knowing this allows us to make appropriate interventions for education and discipline.
• Females tend to be more talkative. In fact, several studies have shown females tend to speak more words than males.
• Females mature more quickly than males, both physically and in terms of brain development.

Knowing these differences are hard-wired will impact our expectations around various activities and developmental issues. It will allow us to make our expectations and our understanding of development more nuanced. It will also impact how we discipline, increasing our understanding of how and when to provide limits and structures. Knowing that there are both hard-wired and socially impacted male/female differences can also decrease some of our worries. If our son begins to speak later than our daughter, it is not a problem but a developmental difference. If our sons are more physically active than our daughters it does not necessarily mean they have a mental health issue (ADHD), they simply have a propensity for activity.

Overall, these differences are not a point of contention but a point of celebration. Having a better knowledge of both the hardwired and the socially constructed differences can help us celebrate our diversity while still striving for equality.