World renowned sociologist refutes “Mars and Venus”

“Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.”

The phrase—and it’s subsequent ideologies—have been pounded into our society’s vernacular.  The book by John Gray has sold more than 45 million copies.

But on a recent visit to Belmont, renowned sociologist and masculinity expert Dr. Michael Kimmel set out to debunk the “different planets” myth.

“The real story actually is the variations among men and the variations among women,” he said.

Kimmel, who’s penned several books of his own, said that as a society we want to believe that men and women are more different, but every social study shows that is not the case.

To illustrate his point, Kimmel explained how women’s lives have been changed over the past half century:

1)      Women made gender visible through feminist movement

2)      Women made up half the work force

3)      Women strove to strike a balance between work and family

But as Kimmel said, “Women cannot have it all… because men do.”

His primary message was that men need to support women in their efforts for gender equality through doing more house work and helping prevent domestic abuse and date rape.  After all, in households where husbands and wives share the work, everyone is happier.

To Kimmel, divide and conquer isn’t the answer.  Besides, we are all Earthlings.