What Are the Differences Between Women and Men? How to Get Along Better

“Boys are so hard to understand…”
“Girls just love to talk about everything!”

Have you ever felt that way?
Even among friends or classmates, it’s not uncommon for boys and girls to have misunderstandings or arguments over small things.

But are women and men really that different in the first place?
And if they are, how can we get along better?

In this article, we’ll take a look at what psychology and brain science say about gender differences, and explore simple tips for building better relationships.

Are Male and Female Brains Different?

Some people might believe that male and female brains are built differently.
But in reality, many studies have shown that there’s no major difference in the basic structure of male and female brains.

Sure, if we look closely, we can see slight tendencies—like differences in how emotions are processed or how we perceive space.
But these are minor and not something most people need to worry about.
In fact, scientists say the differences between individuals of the same gender are bigger than those between genders.

For example, people often say that “girls talk more,” but studies show that the number of words spoken daily is about the same for both boys and girls.

So, assuming “because she’s a girl” or “because he’s a boy” might actually be a misunderstanding.

Why Do We Feel Different Then?

If boys and girls aren’t that different in their brains, why do we often feel like they are?

One major reason is how we’re raised and what people expect from us.

From a young age, boys are often told, “Don’t cry,” while girls might hear, “Be gentle.”
Little by little, these messages create ideas about how we should act.

As a result, boys may get used to holding back their feelings, and girls may become better at showing empathy and talking about emotions.
These learned behaviors start to feel like natural “differences.”

Is It True That “Boys Like to Think Alone” and “Girls Want Someone to Listen”?

You might’ve heard things like, “Boys prefer to think by themselves,” or “Girls just want someone to listen to them.”
In some cases, these tendencies do show up.

Psychological studies suggest that girls often feel better after talking to someone about their worries, while boys tend to think things through internally before taking action.

But again, these are just tendencies, not hard rules.
Boys also have times when they want to talk things out, and girls also want time alone to think.

That’s why it’s important not to box people in with ideas like “boys are like this” or “girls are like that.”
What really matters is understanding each person’s personality and emotions.

Why Do Boys and Girls Clash?

One big reason for misunderstandings between boys and girls is the difference in communication styles.

Let’s say a girl starts talking:
“So today, the teacher kind of scolded me a little…”
She’s sharing this because she wants someone to listen and empathize.

But a boy might immediately respond with advice like,
“Then you should just do it this way.”

The girl might feel, “I just wanted you to listen!”
And the boy might think, “Why is she upset? I was trying to help!”

These miscommunications often happen because we don’t know how the other person thinks.

So, How Can We Get Along Better?

If we want boys and girls to get along better, the key is simple:
Try to understand each other’s differences.

Here are some helpful tips you can start using right away.

① Say “I Feel…” Instead of Blaming

When you say things like, “Why didn’t you do this?”, it sounds like you’re blaming the other person, and that often leads to fights.

Instead, try saying how you feel, like:
“I’d be happy if you did this for me.”

This is called an “I-message”, and it’s a way to express your feelings without attacking the other person.

② Listen Until the End

Do you ever cut people off when they’re talking, or talk about your own opinion too much?

If you want to build a better relationship, listening is super important.

Even just nodding or saying things like, “Really?” or “And then what happened?” can help the other person feel heard.

③ Say “That’s Okay Too” When Someone Thinks Differently

When someone says something very different from what you believe, it’s easy to say, “That’s wrong!”
But take a second to pause and think, “Oh, that’s one way of looking at it.”

Everyone is different—not just in gender, but in how they were raised, their personality, and their experiences.
If you can enjoy those differences instead of fearing them, the world will start to feel bigger and more interesting.

Conclusion

There are indeed some small differences in how boys and girls think and feel.
But that doesn’t mean one way is better or more correct.

What’s really important is to try seeing things from the other person’s point of view, and also express your own feelings clearly.

When we learn about our differences and say, “Thanks for understanding me,” or “That’s an interesting way to think,”
then not only gender relationships but all human relationships can become kinder and more enjoyable.

Just a small shift in mindset might make your relationships from tomorrow on totally different.

ずっとピースらぼ｜Eternal Peace Lab

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ずっとピースらぼ管理人のわんぞーです。イギリスで平和学を学び、その後国際協力の現場や大学で仕事をしてきました。ずっとピースらぼでは、「優しい」と「易しい」の両方の意味をこめて、「やさしい平和教育」を発信しています。中学生や高校生にもわかりやすい内容を届けることで、いつの日か争いのない社会にできたらいいな、と思っています。 ｜Eternal Peace Lab shares information about easy-to-understand peace education. By delivering content that students can easily grasp, we hope to one day achieve world peace.