by Margaret Hudson

Created on: October 24, 2008

Gender most assuredly has an influence on lifestyle. It always has and always will. Forget the historical debates, look at the reality. If you go to a public beach, a man without a shirt is not questioned, a woman without a shirt is arrested for indecent exposure. A woman who goes out to dinner with her makeup applied and hair curled and sprayed is viewed as beautiful, a man with makeup on in public is viewed as a freak. A man and a woman holding hands in public is viewed as a gentle display of affection, whereas two men or two women holding hands in public is viewed by some as an offense. The list could go on. There are simply some areas where equality will never be achieved.

How many clothing stores do not differentiate between "men's" and "women's"? Even stores that sell "unisex" clothing (jeans, t shirts, pullovers) have clothing sized to fit men, women and children. In the personal care section of the store, there are men's deodorants and women's deodorants, mens hair care products and womens hair care products, mens body wash and womens body wash. Even at our earliest age, our baby diapers are divided into boys and girls. There is nothing wrong with these distinctions. It goes to the most basic of human facts - men and women are put together differently! We have differing physical characteristics that require different cuts of clothing, different types of hair and body care products. The advertisers are well aware of this fact. A familiar product that comes to mind is Old Spice. I know it's been around as long as I have, because I remember my dad using it when I was just a small child. Just how long do you think it would have lasted in a pink box with a bow on it? How many women do you know who enjoy its fragrance, but actually use it? What about Miss Clairol hair color? Just how many guys brag about what natural color they have from its use?

Equality is a great concept. But gender diversity is a better one. I, for one, am glad that my gender has an influence on my lifestyle. I'm all for women having equal pay in the workplace, and equal opportunity to go after any job that they have the ability to perform. However, I honestly think that I can wait forever to see the Victoria Secret model with a full beard and chest hair! True physical equality is not possible. Men are physically designed to have a stronger musculature, and have the reproductive faculties to father children, not carry them and give birth to them. Women are physically designed to have a more diminutive musculature, with the reproductive faculties to carry and nurture a fetus until birth, then physically can care for that newborn through breast feeding. Men can't do that. And if they want the menstrual periods (with their "sanitary napkins", bloating, cramps, etc), menopause, ill-fitting bras, 4 inch heels that kill your back, and all the other gender specific things we women have that they don't, they can be my guest! I'll trade for having to shave, and what else?

The male human was designed to be a protector and provider, genetically. The female human was designed to be a nurturer and caregiver, genetically. Therefore, gender will always have an influence on lifestyle, albeit not in the severity of previous generations as the areas in which equality are viable become more open.

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