Attempts to describe the differences and similarities of men and women have been made by philosophers, church leaders, and daytime TV. All have failed.
Our ancestors lived in trees, then we evolved. Sort of. After centuries of development, men still tend to hunt and gather. Men still consider their role to be the provider, to bring home the clubbed furry thing for lunch.
Do women still select their mate for his physical prowess? “Him big, make good hunter.”
Women still tend to nurture and play their supportive role in our homes made of sticks and stone. It is women who have this unique ability to bear more hunters. It is women who still prepare the dead furry thing by combining it with organic matter plucked from the earth.
Do men select their women based on physical childbearing attributes? “Big things, make good mother.”
Anthropologists have offered indisputable scientific proof that men and women are different and have evolved according to some kind of physical law and cultural rule. They tell us men and women have behaved much the same since the beginning.
So by now, we should have it all figured out. Men and women should live in their cave and form a bond based on their primitive need to please the other and to protect their symbiotic relationship.
If it were so, then how do we account for the divorce rate? How do we account for the thousands of unhappy marriages? Sir Isaac Newton, a 17th-century scientist, might explain it using his laws of physics.
- “An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.”
Soccer mom drives the SUV from field to field and will continue to do so unless she is interrupted by a stationary object called a post. Cooking and cleaning mom tends to continue cooking and cleaning unless she has to rush to aerobics class or pick up the kids.
Working man tends to stay at work unless he is interrupted with a request to show up before the dinner is cold and bring home a loaf of bread. TV man tends to stay at rest unless the game is over and he has to use the sandbox, or is out of beer, or both.
In many ways, this describes the patterns of our lives. We often find ourselves locked in routines that require a force to break them. Whether it’s work, family obligations, or leisure time, our lives tend to operate within these predictable rhythms.
- “The acceleration of an object as produced by a net force is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in the same direction as the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.”
Most people think of this as dropping bricks and feathers from tall buildings. It’s really a reference to the relationship habits of man and woman.
See, back in the 17th century, and anthropologists will agree, women were considered to be objects, and men were the force.
If you read the second law again, it would be: She moves faster to her mother or to her lover when he pushes her harder.
Or, he pushes her by doing nothing at all, especially around the house on weekends when he claims that he needs to rest so he can continue to work and earn money so she can have the SUV to take the kids to soccer, ballet, and swimming, and rush home to cook and finish the laundry and be ready for sex when he is finished playing on the computer and gets an erection.
This dynamic reflects a larger societal structure. Women often bear the brunt of domestic responsibilities while men engage in activities outside the home. This imbalance can lead to frustration and resentment, creating rifts in relationships.
- “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
This simple writer firmly believes and affirms that Sir Isaac’s third law explains just about every relationship thing between man and woman.
This physics law, this law of nature, this universal man-woman law, explains what is going to happen to him when he forgets her birthday.
It also explains why she gets him exactly the right color cover for his golf clubs or the right size shirt with the button-down collar that goes with his pants that she gave him last month.
The third law also explains why she reacts the way she does when he brings her flowers. Or phones her when he will be late. Or doesn’t forget her birthday. Or takes her to dinner or takes the kids to soccer so she can have a rest.
It encompasses the emotional give-and-take of relationships. When one partner acts thoughtfully, it often inspires positive reactions in the other. Conversely, neglect can lead to feelings of hurt and disappointment, creating a cycle of emotional responses.
Or, he gives her a hug. Or stops what he is doing, or not doing, and simply listens to her.
Or says, “I love you” and means it.
In essence, relationships are a series of actions and reactions, where each partner’s behavior directly influences the other. The complexity of these dynamics can be both fascinating and challenging, as each person brings their history, emotions, and expectations into the relationship.
Navigating these waters requires communication, understanding, and a willingness to adapt.
Ultimately, the interplay of physics and emotions in relationships offers insights into why we behave the way we do. Recognizing these patterns can help partners work together to create a more harmonious connection.
So, while we may not have all the answers about the differences and similarities between men and women, we can certainly learn from the laws of nature that govern our interactions.
In conclusion, the exploration of gender dynamics through the lens of science reveals not only the inherent differences but also the commonalities we share.
By understanding these fundamental principles, we can better navigate the complexities of our relationships, fostering deeper connections and mutual respect.
