A women's role is seen as that of a domestic carer within the family. This subject rise's the question of whether the female role is the product of biology or socialisation. Biologists argue that the role is determined by her biology namely her ability to reproduce. This suggests that a woman is best suited to care for her offsprings. On the other hand sociologists argue that individuals are a product of their environment and that socialisation is a central factor in determining the role of the woman. For example Feminists will argue that the traditional role of women is a product of patriarchal society.
This essay will explore this debate.
Biologists suggest that hormones can influence the different behaviour found in woman and men. Men and woman have very different bodies and so hormones play an important role in the development of our organs so we can become capable of reproduction. Both men and women product a wide range of sex hormones however, the levels produced vary in both sexes. Women will have more progesterone and oestrogen where as men will have more testosterone and other androgens. As the activity of hormones and the nervous system is closely linked biologists claim that hormones affect behaviour, personality and the way we express emotions.
There is evidence to back up this theory through experiments carried out on animals. When female rats where subjected to extra amounts of androgens, after they had given birth, they where found to be more aggressive than other female rats. Scientists "Goy and Phoenix" argued that the behaviour in female rhesus monkeys, when exposed to high levels of androgens, became more boisterous. Furthermore, scientist "Ehrhardt" linked behaviour to hormones when human female foetuses exposed to high levels of androgens where more likely to be born displaying masculine manners. He claimed they would think like boys, as they would enjoy male activities rather than display behaviour connected with girls.
