Louisa Jonker .: november 2001 Do little girls really prefer to play with dolls rather than cars, or is it just because their parents encourage them to go for the dolls? Are women really more irrational than men? Are men really better at using a street directory than women? Are the gender differences between men and women the result of conditioning by our culture, or are they biological - the result of the kinds of hormones we have? Some people think that it is a mistake to suppose that there are two different, separate or opposite genders. Instead they think that the elements of masculinity and femininity can be mixed and matched in any number of ways according to your own liking. This idea of androgyny is that the only real differences between men and women are the self-evident biological ones and, given the right kind of social environment, no others. Those who hold to the principle of androgyny argue that you need to distinguish between sex and gender, where your sex has to do with the anatomy you have, and gender is the set of social expectations and attitudes that go along with being either male or female. The real benefit of this view is that it has done away with many of the stereotypes that were so widespread. It is good to recognise that there are women who are intelligent, have valid opinions and genuinely good ideas, and there are men who are sensitive and enjoy being involved in the rearing of their children. The influence of androgyny can be seen throughout society from the workplace - seen in the rise in anti-discriminatory legislation, to fashion - seen last season in the huge popularity in cargo pants for both men and women, and the prevalence of androgynous models. There is even the case in Australia that the Defence Force has recommended to the Federal government that women be allowed to be involved in front line combat (May 2001). This minimisation of differences between men and women has also denied the validity of having designated gender roles. The availability of contraception, abortions and child care has meant that women have had an alternative to the stay-at-home-mum role which was the norm for their mothers and grandmothers. Indeed, various government reports have found that in effect women were going on a 'birth strike' citing the costs of guilt, ill health, lost careers, exhaustion and impoverished relationships as too high a price to pay. Moreover, women who wish to pursue the traditional gender roles such as housewife and mother are looked down upon. Yet despite the political incorrectness of saying that men and women are different and the difficulty with making generalisations, the repeated witness of the Word of God is that men and women are fundamentally different, certainly in function anyway. Indeed this difference stems right from their creation. Both men and women are created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27) and ultimately have the same status before God. They even have the same purpose, namely to fill the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:26-28). However, they are to express their purpose in different ways. Adam is made to work the ground (Gen 2:5) and to rule over the animals (Gen 2:19-20). Eve is made to bear children (Gen 1:22) and be his helper (2:18-23). In essence the role of the woman was to complement the man, especially since his loneliness was the first thing in God's creation that wasn't good (Gen 2:18). The curses of Genesis 3 are not those that differentiate the sexes in terms of roles, but reflect the differences that already existed. As such, the differences between men and women are not (contrary to what some people think) a result of the entrance of sin into the world. So, when in Galatians 3:28, Paul announces that there is neither 'male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus' he is not saying that when Christ dealt with sin on the cross the intrinsic differences between men and women are wiped out. Neither will there be some sexless state that supersedes the original creation in the new creation. Rather Paul is saying that in terms of salvation there is no discrimination on the basis of race, social status or gender. The Biblical witness is that there are certainly differences between men and women in terms of function: these include roles within the family (Prov 31:10-31, Eph 5:22-33, 1 Tim 2:8-10, Titus 2:1-8, 1 Peter 3:1-7) and the church (1 Cor 11:3-16, 1 Tim 2:11-3:13). Beyond these differences in function that are dealt with in the Bible, it is hard to be more specific about differences in masculine and feminine characteristics without making broad generalisations. Given, however, that God has created us with his own purposes in mind, we might well expect there to be some correlation with the way in which he has created us and his intention for us. One could make observations about men generally being stronger than women, and that women's bodies are generally shaped to aid the bearing of children. These observations of the physical differences between men and women cannot be used to determine God's plans and purposes for men and women. However, we need not be surprised if our biology reflects the intention with which God created us, as established in his word. God, however, seems to be more interested in describing men and women in terms of how they relate, rather than specifying masculine and feminine characteristics. Thus, the differences between men and women are not primarily biological or cultural, but relational. To reflect this, perhaps we need to spend less time defining ourselves and more time working out how best to relate to one another. As a starting point (and this is by no means definitive!), we Christian women need to find appropriate ways to express our femininity. This at least means figuring out what it means to be 'a helper not a hinderer' in our relationships with men. In conjunction with our growing to be more like Jesus in our attitudes and behaviour (see what living by the Spirit looks like in Gal 5:16-26), being truly feminine will include having self-control over our speech (Jas 3:1-13), including gossip, nagging and slandering, which granted, are not the sole domain of women, but we're pretty good at it. We need to resist the temptation to be domineering especially in situations where it seems as though men are abdicating their sense of responsibility (which fairly well sums up how all the trouble started with Adam and Eve, Gen 3:1-13). This won't be easy, resisting our sinful nature rarely is, but done by the power of God, it can only lead to greater harmony between the sexes and a commendation of the good news about Jesus to onlookers Louisa Jonker will try to play it down with her quick wit, but she's a real brain. Previously known as a physical chemist, she currently labours in theological studies, where she is affectionately known as a NT Greek Princess. She is passionate about teaching the bible to women and youth. Send Feedback    |    Printable version of this article