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Advantages of
Being Male
Job security and
higher pay
Easier bathroom
convenience
Doesn’t take
long to get ready (hair, dressed)
Can have
expensive toys: cars, boats, motorcycles
No periods,
menstrual symptoms
No pregnancy
Natural to take
aggressor role
Almost always
has orgasm
Can really relax
when he comes home from work
No birth control
worries
“Reputation” not
at stake
Braver, less
fearful in dangerous, violent situations
Physical
strength, power and size
Genitals prized:
symbol of power and strength
Less prone
to/concerned about weight problems
Less likely to
be raped
Less anxiety
over appearance, fashion
Fewer domestic
responsibilities
More freedom and
independence
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Disadvantages of Being Male
Pays for date
Can’t show
emotions
Has to shave
face
Deals with
female mood changes
Has to be
initiator
Expected to be
“Mr. Fix It”
Expected to be
strong, leader, breadwinner
Expected to be
macho/masculine to be accepted
Can’t be
feminine; play with dolls, do dishes, laundry without
“criticism”
Performance
pressure (sexual, non-sexual)
Expected to be
family disciplinarian
Has difficulty
with being physically warm, tender,
close in
relationships
Difficult to cry
and show emotions, be intimate
Often
disciplined more severely
Custody battles;
rarely gets custody of children, even though he wants them
More at risk for
perpetrating/being victim of violence
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Advantages of
Being Female
Usually doesn’t
pay for dates
Live longer
Pregnancy
Can and does
show more emotions/feelings; cries
Is the primary
“nurturer”
Can be
“everything”: mother, wife, professional
It’s acceptable
to be a “little girl” and a “tomboy”
Less cultural
pressure for job, money, education, success
Acceptable to be
fragile or physically weak
Generally, have
a closer relationship with children
Receives
cultural courtesies: car doors open
May have the
option to work or not
Usually more
intuitive
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Disadvantages
of Being Female
Period or
premenstrual symptoms
Pregnancy,
labor, delivery
Weaker, smaller
in size, less power
Make-up, hair,
dressing takes longer, and is more
expensive
Menopause
Must be
“everything”: mother, lover, friend, wife,
professional, housewife, etc
Double standard
of sexual conduct
Has to watch
one’s weight
Genitals thought
to be ugly, shameful, dirty
Usually has full
responsibility for birth control
Generally
unacceptable to be aggressor
Often expected
to “pay up” after date
Reputation
always at stake
Usually harder
or taboo to initiate date
Has to be extra
cautious about going out alone at night (Rape, Sexual Assault
worries)
Unequal pay for
equal jobs
Has to shave
legs, armpits, etc.
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