Diana Fleischman
Psychological researcher

Darwinism is no threat because it shows men and women are different

In terms of scientific averages, men and women can be shown to be different, with gendered strengths and weaknesses. However, at an individual level men and women can be judged on merit, not gender. This is what feminism, as an idea, refers to. Individuals should speak for themselves.

Darwinism doesn’t threaten men and women’s plastic, modern identities

Although evolution has taught us different selection pressures led to gendered behaviours, in a modern environment, where we are not hunting and gathering or communicating face-to-face, our interaction with culture and the environment is plastic and dynamic. Modernity means we are not constrained by evolutionary pressures; that’s why Darwinism does not threaten feminism or the opportunity for equal competition between men and women.

Men and women have very different motivations

Although actual differences between men and women may be small, their intentions, motivations and functions of happiness are very different. It is this which is evolutionarily informed (rather than aptitude itself) and significant for an individual’s overall happiness. Society can gain more by this understanding, and systems can be designed to maximise individuals’ happiness. Gendered stereotypes here can be used positively.

Rachael Panizzo
Research, British Medical Association

Scientific research is used to reinforce gender stereotypes

Although evolution, evolutionary psychology and the study of human behaviour are interesting fields, the practical use of their findings is a threat to feminism. Apart from the pure knowledge gained, research is just used to legitimise negative, sexist stereotypes. Equally, there is proof that negative, gendered, stereotypes become self fulfilling prophecies.

As a society, we tend to focus on differences not similarities

The over-exaggeration of scientific studies into gender differences is a threat to feminism. People have tended to refer to Darwinism to highlight gender differences, but research must not be used like this because men and women are more similar than they are different and the actual differences are very few.

Darwinism is a threat because it distracts from feminism as an ideal

Feminism should not take anything into account which isn’t useful for its cause, or the empowerment of women. The ideals of feminism should not be undermined by the latest scientific facts and figures.