Whatever has happened to Eve’s brain? Is it becoming Adam’s?

Whatever has happened to Eve’s brain? Is it becoming Adam’s?

I recently addressed a conference of matchmakers in Florida, the topic I chose being „Whatever has happened to Adam and Eve? Overcoming challenges to partnering today‟. I was invited to speak because In 1976, with a background in psychology, I established my professional introduction consultancy Yvonne Allen and Associates, to introduce discerning singles in Australia to potential partners and assist them to achieve their relationship goals. I am recognized as the „grandma‟ of the matchmaking and professional dating profession in the western world! It was therefore with interest – and concern – that I read Sarah Knapton‟s column titled „Mars and Venus?…no way‟ in The Sunday Age (Melbourne, March 9). Knapton reported that Professor Gina Rippon, a neuroscientist at Aston University, Birmingham, UK recently stated that it was a myth that male and female brains were wired differently with no basis in science.

In her address to an audience on International Women‟s Day, Professor Rippon is said to have claimed that gender differences in the brain only exist because of environmental factors and that they are not innate. She apparently indicated that any differences in brain circuitry were the outcome of the “drip, drip, drip” of gender stereotyping…and that a woman‟s brain may become wired for multi-tasking simply because society expects this of her and that “„the brain adapts in the same way that a muscle gets larger with extra use”.

While I would query Professor Rippon‟s view that gender differences emerge only through environmental factors, I do think that a blurring of gender differences has occurred over recent decades with detrimental impact when it comes to attracting and keeping a partner. Over my many years of working with business and professional singles seeking a partner through my executive dating service, I have been in an unusual position to witness dramatic changes that have taken place when it comes to men and women living and loving together. I have observed that something as seemingly natural as falling in love and living happily together „forever after‟ has become increasingly difficult to achieve.

In 1976 most singles in the western world assumed they would marry and stay with their partner for life and they did. However, these days there are many millions of singles of all ages on dating sites – some with populations much larger than many countries – who are seeking to meet a partner to share life. It is evident that what was once regarded as the natural destiny of most adults has become elusive and will not be achieved by ever increasing numbers of lonely, albeit successful people.

If Professor Rippon is correct, maybe we women are indeed changing our biology, and perhaps losing abilities such as multi-tasking in our quest to focus and to achieve „as if a man‟. It would also seem that attributes once regarded as characteristic of the feminine and that the male of the species is wired to find attractive such as warmth, softness, caring and vulnerability etc. are being concealed – or perhaps lost? – as we women succeed in the cut and thrust of the business world.

Unfortunately it does seem that many of the women who are achieving in what was once regarded as „a man‟s domain‟, have adopted a male like persona as they have focused on succeeding in their careers. From my point of view this is not only tragic – but unnecessary. I believe we women can achieve in any career that we choose to pursue while taking care of the attributes and strengths we have as a female – not as a pseudo male.

My credo: Do it as a woman and excel!

Yvonne Allen Contact Yvonne Allen & Associates today to find out about how our executive and professional dating services can change your life. Our offices are located in Sydney and Melbourne but also offer our professional dating services in other states.

Source: http://www.yvonneallen.com.au/whatever-has-happened-to-eves-brain-is-it-becomingadams/