Are women really weaker than men?

[GEddie]

So only in your experience, generally men are more emotionally stable. So that is not a fact, just your view. I prefer not to make statements like that and take each person as she/he is.

A pygmy man may not be physically stronger than a 5ft 9in American woman but how does all this matter in the greater scheme of things?

Which women are ‘balking’? Physically stronger?

Pound for pound a dog is stronger than a human being and?

Indeed, physical strength is a curious metric of value in human life, seeing that the human body, generally, has much weaker musculature than most other animals.

I understand the relevance of muscular strength to alpha-male and similar concerns. But human beings are just no great shakes in the physical strength area.

ICXC NIKA

 

[psr13]

I’m reading a Christian book on the role of men. In it, it claims that women are weaker than men. Is that really true in a Catholic context? If so, in what respects are women weaker? I don’t buy into all of the feminist propaganda, but to me, the claim sounded a bit sexist. I’m more of the opinion that men and women are equals, and of equal but different strength. What’s your take on this topic? Thank you.

Biologically, men are physically stronger than women. That doesn’t mean men are better than women.

 

[psr13]

Do you mean physical weaker?

I mean, that’s just biology.

On the whole, men are stronger than women. 10 out of 10 my husband will win in arm wrestling. ** He does all the toting and lifting around here. **

Is every individual man physically stronger than every individual woman? No. There are anomalies. But on the whole, yes. That’s why women’s physical exams in the military have been scaled-- women have to do fewer pull ups, push ups, etc, to qualify for positions as compared to men.

I see no reason to try to dance around this fact by saying that “men and women are equals, and of equal but different strength”. In physical tasks, we aren’t equals. So why try to say we are.

If I’ve misunderstood something, please correct me. Also, it probably would be good to have a little more context regarding the book.

Even if you both lifted as often, he would most likely still be stronger than you. It’s just the way we are made.

 

[Iheartcoffee]

On average, women do not have the physical strength of men. It’s just biology.

However, emotional, mental, and spiritual strength depend on the individual. I really don’t think it would ever be fair to say one sex is stronger than the other in those categories. Those are so easily swayed by upbringing, culture, and personality.

 

[LucyLight]

Even if you both lifted as often, he would most likely still be stronger than you. It’s just the way we are made.

FYI, the OP claimed the book was claiming that men are stronger in everything (emotionally etc.). I haven’t seen anyone say that women have stronger muscles.

 

[EasterJoy]

Indeed, physical strength is a curious metric of value in human life, seeing that the human body, generally, has much weaker musculature than most other animals.

I understand the relevance of muscular strength to alpha-male and similar concerns. But human beings are just no great shakes in the physical strength area.

ICXC NIKA

Particularly since the invention of automobiles, forklifts, and so on. It used to be that things had to be made so that human or animal power could move them, but now many things are far too heavy for even the strongest man to lift a few times, let alone all day. Meanwhile, a woman can drive a forklift all day as well as a man.

I don’t think this has had a small impact on the course of human events in our times. I remember watching one of those “reality-reinactment” shows in which a group of people did the work of the pioneers, trying to break new ground for farming and so on. How much differently would the equality of women have been understood back when it was important to be strong enough to handle a Clydesdale and a plow, when war was waged hand-to-hand, and when childbirth was more hazardous than it is now?

As for emotional strength, remember that married men have a source of emotional strength that unmarried men do not have, while women’s support system is much more likely to be found in other women. The strength a child will have in adulthood is heavily dependent on the nurturance of parents, especially their mothers. We are such social beings that it is hard to tease these issues apart…but how much emotional strength do any of us have, save for the women in our lives?

 

[LucyLight]

Particularly since the invention of automobiles, forklifts, and so on. It used to be that things had to be made so that human or animal power could move them, but now many things are far too heavy for even the strongest man to lift a few times, let alone all day. Meanwhile, a woman can drive a forklift all day as well as a man.

I don’t think this has had a small impact on the course of human events in our times. I remember watching one of those “reality-reinactment” shows in which a group of people did the work of the pioneers, trying to break new ground for farming and so on. How much differently would the equality of women have been understood back when it was important to be strong enough to handle a Clydesdale and a plow, when war was waged hand-to-hand, and when childbirth was more hazardous than it is now?

As for emotional strength, remember that married men have a source of emotional strength that unmarried men do not have, while women’s support system is much more likely to be found in other women. The strength a child will have in adulthood is heavily dependent on the nurturance of parents, especially their mothers. We are such social beings that it is hard to tease these issues apart…but how much emotional strength do any of us have, save for the women in our lives?

All good points. Regarding the last paragraph, I remember reading that somewhere as well. Nurturing, emotional support, and affection is something that men need from women. Women already have this in each other.

 

[mini_me640]

No need to get so bent out of shape at my opinions that women are, beautifully and rightfully so, the weaker sex. I’m perfectly content to embrace this. I think the problem arises not when a women naturally finds herself stronger but when she attempts to circumvent God’s plan and maker herself purposefully stronger.
I do, however, concede that these are unpopular opinions. I don’t think any lesser of a woman who doesn’t uphold them.

I’m not quite sure I understand you about a woman purposefully making herself stronger as a negative thing. I’m not trying to argue, I just honestly don’t understand what you mean. Could you elaborate please?

 

[Nilla_Bean]

I’m not quite sure I understand you about a woman purposefully making herself stronger as a negative thing. I’m not trying to argue, I just honestly don’t understand what you mean. Could you elaborate please?

I have issues with a woman who wants to change herself not for the fact that everyone should strive for their best, but for the sole sake of pride. We are called to be masculine and feminine; how we interprite our God given genders isn’t set in stone, but what I was referring to was women who reject their femininity and seeks masculinity in its place, however she defines that. I, personally, see women as the weaker sex, see nothing wrong with that, and have issues not with women who set themselves to be equals, but those who set themselves to be men’s betters.

Militant feminists is possible the best term for it?

 

[EasterJoy]

I have issues with a woman who wants to change herself not for the fact that everyone should strive for their best, but for the sole sake of pride. We are called to be masculine and feminine; how we interprite our God given genders isn’t set in stone, but what I was referring to was women who reject their femininity and seeks masculinity in its place, however she defines that. I, personally, see women as the weaker sex, see nothing wrong with that, and have issues not with women who set themselves to be equals, but those who set themselves to be men’s betters.

Militant feminists is possible the best term for it?

Being overly competitive is an issue regardless of your gender. We have all met the guy who, if you tell him you have a rock in your back yard, has to inform you that his rocks are not only bigger, but older, more important and purchased at a better price.

Man’s pride causes his humiliation, but he who is humble of spirit obtains honor. Prov. 29:23

You won’t find it anywhere in the Scriptures where the Lord exalts the strong man. Rather:

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10

Which is the “stronger sex” is kind of a moot point, in the big picture.

 

[Nilla_Bean]

Being overly competitive is an issue regardless of your gender. We have all met the guy who, if you tell him you have a rock in your back yard, has to inform you that his rocks are not only bigger, but older, more important and purchased at a better price.

Man’s pride causes his humiliation, but he who is humble of spirit obtains honor. Prov. 29:23

You won’t find it anywhere in the Scriptures where the Lord exalts the strong man. Rather:

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10

Which is the “stronger sex” is kind of a moot point, in the big picture.

That’s not what I mean. The same doesn’t apply for men. The equvilant to what i said would be men who fail to live up to their standards, and instead reject their mesculinity for feminity.

Women can over strive and reject their womanliness. Men can slack off and reject their masculinity.

Again, my opinion and never a popular one. I’m the one with a copy of Women Who Mae the World Worse next to Fascinating Womanhood on her bookshelf, so yeah.

 

[JacarandaPurple]

Just ask a man to give birth, and you have your answer.

P.S. I think it’s pretty cruddy to start all this wrangling and then refuse to name the book.

 

[L_piperatus]

**WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.
**

Men are weaker than chimpanzees.

 

[EasterJoy]

That’s not what I mean. The same doesn’t apply for men. The equvilant to what i said would be men who fail to live up to their standards, and instead reject their mesculinity for feminity.

Women can over strive and reject their womanliness. Men can slack off and reject their masculinity.

Again, my opinion and never a popular one. I’m the one with a copy of Women Who Mae the World Worse next to Fascinating Womanhood on her bookshelf, so yeah.

Well, yes, the same does apply for men. They get too wound up in being more powerful and in gaining attention for their masculinity. I mean that a man can obviously over-do his concentration on those aspects of his make-up that are more pronounced in men than in women, just as a man can over-do his concentration on those aspects of himself that are more pronounced in women than in men.

Likewise, women can concentrate so much on being “feminine” or avoiding being “masculine” that their soul or their service of God suffers for it. A woman who spends all her time becoming a bodybuilder so she can show up guys really isn’t more or less vain or self-absorbed or even socially off-putting than a woman who squanders all her money on avoiding wrinkles and buying the latest clothes so that she can show up the women in some hall of fame. Both are pursuing falsehood instead of the service of God and the realization of becoming the woman God meant them to be.

I think that the mistake of trying to become androgynous or to “beat the other sex at their own game” so often goes to ludicrous lengths in our times that we forget that there is ditch on both sides of this road.

 

[EasterJoy]

**WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.
**
WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

WOMEN ARE REALLY WEAKER THAN MEN.

Men are weaker than chimpanzees.

Exactly. At some point, this kind of discussion always ends up sounding like debates about whether or not Our Lord could take the Buddha at sumo wrestling!

I’m not saying there is no place for this kind of conversation, that there aren’t circumstances where it is quite relevant, but that the answer to the more general question is usually much less important than people want to make it out to be.

 

[severus68]

No need to get so bent out of shape at my opinions that women are, beautifully and rightfully so, the weaker sex. I’m perfectly content to embrace this. I think the problem arises not when a women naturally finds herself stronger but when she attempts to circumvent God’s plan and maker herself purposefully stronger.
I do, however, concede that these are unpopular opinions. I don’t think any lesser of a woman who doesn’t uphold them.

I could well say to you that you should not bend the truth to suit your agenda. No one is saying you cannot live your live as you please, but please do not try to make this God’s plan.
Yes, it is your just your opinion.

 

[severus68]

Indeed, physical strength is a curious metric of value in human life, seeing that the human body, generally, has much weaker musculature than most other animals.

I understand the relevance of muscular strength to alpha-male and similar concerns. But human beings are just no great shakes in the physical strength area.

ICXC NIKA

Yes, so true.

 

[severus68]

That’s not what I mean. The same doesn’t apply for men. The equvilant to what i said would be men who fail to live up to their standards, and instead reject their mesculinity for feminity.

Women can over strive and reject their womanliness. Men can slack off and reject their masculinity.

Again, my opinion and never a popular one. I’m the one with a copy of Women Who Mae the World Worse next to Fascinating Womanhood on her bookshelf, so yeah.

Are those books written by a Catholic theologian?

 

[TraditionalSoul]

I’m reading a Christian book on the role of men. In it, it claims that women are weaker than men. Is that really true in a Catholic context? If so, in what respects are women weaker? I don’t buy into all of the feminist propaganda, but to me, the claim sounded a bit sexist. I’m more of the opinion that men and women are equals, and of equal but different strength. What’s your take on this topic? Thank you.

Are women really weaker than men? In a couple of words - absolutely not. I agree with you men and women are equals but of different strength - though society does need to catch up with this idea, especially where employment and wages are concerned.

(P.S Given the way my boyfriend behaves when he has a cold (‘man flu’) I can’t imagine what he’d be like if he had to endure child labour!)

 

[GEddie]

Are women really weaker than men? In a couple of words - absolutely not. I agree with you men and women are equals but of different strength - though society does need to catch up with this idea, especially where employment and wages are concerned.

(P.S Given the way my boyfriend behaves when he has a cold (‘man flu’) I can’t imagine what he’d be like if he had to endure child labour!)

If he had the body mechanism for giving birth, she would also have the brain setup to deal with it!

It completely makes no sense to use the example of childbirth to argue that females are really physically stronger etc. Of course males have no ability to endure what they have no ability to take on. That’s like comparing humans to fish based on our inability to breathe water.

ICXC NIKA