19 February 2009

The male-female brain debate


I took my kids to the science museum last weekend and they were very interested in the differences in their brains. The exhibit in the museum told us that male and female brains appear to wire up in different ways - a result of different hormones acting on the growing embryo. Some of these differences are apparent right from birth such as baby girls preferring to watch faces whereas baby boys watch everything equally. By school age, boys tend to be better at spacial skills, whereas girls are better at language skills. However no abilities are just male or female.
This started a fascinating debate on the tube on the way home. My 12 year old son announced that this made sense as his sisters are soft and sappy, and they couldn't make things work. My 10 and 6 year old girls responded as all siblings do, and I think very cleverly, that they make friendships work and people work together! Interesting perspective "out of the mouths of babes"
What do you think?

1 comment:

  1. When considering the differences between male and female brains I particularly like the thoughts of comedian Mark Gungor. Cut and paste this link into your browser address bar to see his observations on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuMZ73mT5zM&feature=related.

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