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Originally Posted by IvoryTowers  If you are going to put on your scientist hat, I'd like you to do it with citations of published studies from reputable sources. No, I won't "just trust" you "on this one."
Sorry, but as a feminist I've seen the old "the male mind just isn't wired for that sort of thing" bull used way too often. Men aren't wired for monogamy, for parenting, for commitment, for being sensitive to problems, for talking about feelings, for good grooming, for accepting women in the workplace, for peace, blah blah blah.
The differences between the male and female brain are dwarfed by the similarities and many 'absolute' differences have been demonstrated to be cultural in the end. For example, in Medieval Europe, it was manly to weep and faint because men had stronger emotions then women (naturally). Now we have science telling us testosterone makes it harder for men to cry. Mmmhmmm.
If you want to tell the OP that in your experience triads (MFM or any variety) are unstable, fine. But don't scare her with "science" without some documented proof. |
Well start by reading 'The Red Queen' and then get back to me. I'd also recommend 'The Selfish Gene', though Dawkin's get rather cute as he always points out the genetic behavior and then tries to put humans above it (is shouldn't mean aught), which is a mistake. It speaks more of his politics than his science writing, and its a shame he can't separate the two.
And if you want to play the citation game...
For example, in Medieval Europe, it was manly to weep and faint because men had stronger emotions then women (naturally). Now we have science telling us testosterone makes it harder for men to cry. Mmmhmmm. 
I'm sure you are aware of the entomology of 'hysterical' and regardless I'll take modern scientist over whatever Medieval anecdotes were. They had a lot of wrong ideas about life in general in those days but that didn't stop the natural laws from applying.
My first degree is in evolutionary biology and while I do agree that male and female brains are more alike then different, that does not trivialize the differences or make them unimportant.