Thread: Are men and women equal

I am a guy. I used to believe that men and women are equal, but as I get older I am coming more and more to the view that women, as a gender are far more advanced than men - not speaking about individuals, but as a gender, on the whole.
I get deeply puzzled that women on the whole do not seem to think this, or if they do, they hide it well.
I would really like to know if women feel this way deep within. I am not so much talking about the sex thing (although in my opinion sex should revolve around the woman) I am talking of relationships - the woman taking the lead (rather than equality or male led) seems to me to be a far better way of living - but culturally taboo.
There is of course a sense we are equal - in terms of rights (i.e. should be!) and in the sense that all creatures are equal, but there is something about being a woman that is streets ahead of being a man - sensitivity, attunement, emotional evolution etc.

Do you girls just accept it but not mention it, or what? Maybe its a case of oppression by culture?

I would love to know your opinion

Loris

What you have written is very interesting. I'm not sure women are more superior, more that we have different strengths. I think women are much more in tune with the emotional assessment of others, with nature and with other more powerful forces that over time the himan race has lost contact with.

You know I am suprised that there has only been one reply to this post, because I thought that women sort of knew this innately. On the point about us having different strengths - well men have physical strength, then wahts next on the list? Hmmm I find it hard to find anything, the female list is much longer, especially on the emotional relationship side, which is so important...

Well, for men, after strength comes coordination. They also have less hang ups about things, and can get things done. Their emotional arrogance/ignorance also makes them better at coping with life... They can spend their time fixing things instead of worrying about them, in practical and social scenes.

That's not to say that men are better in general, though.

Originally Posted by Loris1

I am a guy. I used to believe that men and women are equal, but as I get older I am coming more and more to the view that women, as a gender are far more advanced than men - not speaking about individuals, but as a gender, on the whole.
I get deeply puzzled that women on the whole do not seem to think this, or if they do, they hide it well.
I would really like to know if women feel this way deep within. I am not so much talking about the sex thing (although in my opinion sex should revolve around the woman) I am talking of relationships - the woman taking the lead (rather than equality or male led) seems to me to be a far better way of living - but culturally taboo.
There is of course a sense we are equal - in terms of rights (i.e. should be!) and in the sense that all creatures are equal, but there is something about being a woman that is streets ahead of being a man - sensitivity, attunement, emotional evolution etc.

Do you girls just accept it but not mention it, or what? Maybe its a case of oppression by culture?

I would love to know your opinion

Loris

I don't mean to be overly harsh, but this post is kind of silly. People are individuals and to declare anyone superior or inferior based on large group categories never leads to any place good. I am glad you have had some positive female role models. You should meet my sister though she lacks any sensitivity or "attunement" and my father was one of the kindest, most caring and nurturing human beings I've ever known... so it all depends on the person!

I have to agree with Carolnault9. My dad was an incredibly nurturing person. I am not. I am very capable of love and emotion but am definitely not affected by what my girlfriends find moving or important. So we are all complete individuals and so much goes into who we are that we can never be generalized.

Women and men are pushed into different roles by upbringing and society, but I think it is becoming more and more acceptable to challenge this: eg, men can now be more emotionally open without being seen as weak and women can be analytical and detached without necessarily being seen as aberrant. So I agree with the above posts: we are individuals, we all approach life differently and I don't think that makes women better than men or vice versa.

Thanks for the replies,
I would like to restate that I am not talking about individuals, but about the genre so to speak. Women on the whole are more sensitive, more percpetive, notice more, are more gentle less violent, less arrogant about their abilities, more in tune with others, more aware of the needs of
others, and of course are far more lovely to look at (smile). To use a corny paradigm, men are programmed to fight and bring home the prey, whilst women are programmed to nurture - especially those weaker than they - I know this is a sweeping generalisation, but I think it holds.

Here is a set of qualities/virtues see what you think - is the quality more often found in the female or male gender?

Physical strength
Emotional strength
Perceptiveness
Sensitivity
Listening skills
awareness of others needs
Intellectual intelligence
Emotional intelligence
Problem solving
tendancy to violence
acceptence of vulnerability (of oneself and others)
Nurturing
Loving
Ability to self reflect admit weaknesses
Awarenenss in relationships

For me, all but physical strength and ability to be violent, are qualities I would expect in a more advanced being, and all, to my mind are more often found in women rather than men - though again I say that I am not talking of individuals - rather trends. I know of women that have little virtues and men that possess many of these qualities.
I also think that men are programmed to revolve around women and we are happier when we are doing the admiring, rather than receiving it. Rleationships where the woman is chasing the man are a recipe for problems in my opinion - society seems to accept this - but why is this so? Why is it that a woman expects to be the one that is courted? In my opinion a confident woman almost condescends to be with a man. A man should expect her company as a privilige - this does not work the other way around. Lovemaking should also be focussed pleasing the woman, (and thereby both parties) where the lovemaking is more about the male orgasm it is superficial and the woman may feel used or unappreciated. On the whole men could do a lot better if we spent more time listening to women, rather than playing that old macho defensive/assertive game we see so often

Firstly, "genre" is French for "gender" and comes from a Latin word of the same meaning.
Sweeping generalizations do not hold.
I agree wholeheartedly with carolnaut9. This is silly and the sort of thing I'd expect from a guy in a bar trying to "pick up chicks" with the "sensitive routine."
Saints and sinners come in all shapes, sizes, and genders. So do the mediocre. People are individuals and no sweeping generalization should ever make light of that. Just because you're putting my gender in the more positive light doesn't mean I'll agree with you. I'm actually mildly offended on behalf of my father, brother, boyfriend, and male friends who are amazing people.

OK I am leaving this forum - You say you are mildly offended - but imply that I am trying to make some kind of bar pick up routine. I have never picked up anyone in a bar, these are genuinely held beliefs of mine. Apart from my beliefs there are many scientific studies which compare women to men, so I do not accept the point that one cannot make generalisations, and I have gone out of my way to say that I am not talking about individuals. I find these responses to be very unenlightened - but I am sure you will disagree.