Not sure if most of the distance is societal training or inherent in the genetic makeup. Truth is... women could learn to be more rational and men could learn to be more verbal. In a marriage, this would exemplify love in both directions.
You said:
No, they really can't.
I don't know if you're a christian or not but the reading of the Bible has initiated behaviorial changes throughout the ages; men were not oly learning facts all this time, but also behavior. And, as you know, it is not graphic in nature. Unless men are reading the childrens' illustrated version.
I find it preposterous that you actually believe men cannot learn to be more verbal. I know of a marriage that was revolutionized when the man began saying "I love you" and began to give more compliments to his wife.
I know countless women who began to use more rational language and kept themselves from resorting to anger too quickly and experienced real change in their marriages as well.
Men can learn to verbalize; women can learn rationality.
OT slightly, I have seen marriages where the man is more emotional and the woman more calm and rational, just to prove that generalizations are not true in each case.
What, my screen name didn't give it away?
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is arguably the most Theologically-Conservative Denomination in the United States, if not the world. Not that membership therein makes me some kind of spectacular "Uber-Christian", but it does somewhat diminish the nagging of the cackling voices in my head urging me to perform Goat Sacrifices to Apollyon the Destroyer in my utility shed.
but the reading of the Bible has initiated behaviorial changes throughout the ages; men were not oly learning facts all this time, but also behavior. And, as you know, it is not graphic in nature. Unless men are reading the childrens' illustrated version.
Well, point given. I'll happily grant the Transformational power of Bible-Reading on the behavior of even the most stubborn Male, if attended by the Holy Spirit and joined with Sincerity on the part of the Reader.
However, I hardly think that applies to our discussion as to the efficacy of "television" and "seminars" and "self-help books" in influencing Male Behavior for the Better.
Unlike the Bible, I don't know of many "self-help books" which can legitimately advertise "100% Divinely Inspired!" and "Channels Sanctifying Grace directly into the Heart!" as is True of Scripture, in terms of Male behavioral incorporation of Reading Material.
You get my drift?
However, even in the case of the Bible (the one "self-help" Book which can alter Male Behavior simply by the Reading thereof, due to its uniquely Sacramental efficacy) -- For Best Results upon Male Behavior, mix one part daily Bible Reading with two parts daily positive Behavioral Reinforcement and two parts daily Biblical Male Role-Modelling provided by a Devout Father-figure.
Mix together, and cook to perfection.
I find it preposterous that you actually believe men cannot learn to be more verbal. I know of a marriage that was revolutionized when the man began saying "I love you" and began to give more compliments to his wife. I know countless women who began to use more rational language and kept themselves from resorting to anger too quickly and experienced real change in their marriages as well. Men can learn to verbalize; women can learn rationality.
Sorry... perhaps I verbalized my Objection poorly (Well -- I am a Man, after all).
I am NOT saying that it is in any way Impossible for individual Men to become more Verbal and Empathetic in their Relations, nor is it impossible for individual Women to become more Rational and Logical in their Cogitations. I am an ardent fan of the Advice which Ronald Reagen gave to his sons:
I am simply saying that, on balance and across the overall average of the Sexes, it is *Impossible* to expect that Men in general will ever be as Empathetic as Women, or Women in general as Logocentric as Men.
Sex Differences will always remain, simply because from the 12th week of Gestation on, Our Brains are Different. Psychology cannot fight Physiology.
And I think that's a key thing -- each Partner understanding that Sex Differences in Psychological Interaction do exist and ALWAYS will, and each, mutually and sacrificially, accomodating themselves to those differences.
OT slightly, I have seen marriages where the man is more emotional and the woman more calm and rational, just to prove that generalizations are not true in each case.
Generalizations are, admittedly, not True in each and every case.
However, they are generally True.
Hence their useful value as Generalizations.
best, OP