Men and Women Aren’t So Different

July 10th, 2007

It was all just a lie – probably started by some man – that no one ever stopped to investigate. Maybe lie is too harsh. It was a myth – myth, myth . . . “yes” – that has finally been put to sleep.

When it comes to talking it turns out that the number of words men and women use each day is about the same. The idea that women needed to use 20,000 words and men needed only 7,000 words was only a myth. There was no scientific data behind the numbers.

Now there is. Researchers are beginning to record conversations to try and determine the number of words people actually use. It turns out that the difference between men and women is only a few hundred words.

I heard the old number in a study we did in Sunday school (Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spagetti). Unfortunately, my husband was paying close attention that day. When ever things get too hectic or his day has been too long, he tells me he has used up his words for the day and crawls into a shell.

Today, the winds of change are blowing - even if the hubby is ducking and covering. The local paper had an article on the front page that discussed the study of the number of words men and women use. I brought it up to my husband, but he conveniently wasn’t paying attention today.

It’s good to know that we aren’t as different as “they” want to make us out to be. It’s better to know that we can’t use statistics or anything else to make excuses for out attitudes and behavior. It’s best to know where the information came from that you are staking your decisions on.

Entry Filed under: Attitudes, Family and Home