【Fun Trivia】Why are women smaller and weaker compared to men? – Surprising Facts Unveiled by Biology

Why are women smaller and weaker compared to men? - Surprising Facts Unveiled by Biology
Laugho Haremi

Hello! We are Laugho and Haremi!


Haremi

You know, I sometimes wonder, why is there a difference in body size between men and women?

Laugho

Indeed, I wonder why that is.

Haremi

I sometimes wish I was bigger so I could be stronger and carry heavy things. The other day when we went shopping, Rafu carried a lot of heavy stuff and I felt bad about it.

Laugho

No need to feel bad about that, really.
But it’s quite curious, isn’t it?


Have you ever thought about the physical differences between men and women in our human world?

Generally, men are seen as larger and stronger, but why is that?

We’ve come to accept these differences from the moment we were born, so we may not have given it much thought.

Are men larger than women? Or are women smaller than men?

Which is correct?

In fact, there’s a biological reason behind this.

In this article, let’s explore these surprising facts together.

What you’ll learn in this article
  • The reasons why men and women have different body sizes
  • What about other living creatures?
  • Women’s strength lies in endurance and communication skills


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Why are men generally larger and stronger?

Answer from a biological perspective

The reason why men are generally larger and stronger than women is primarily a result of evolution.

From an evolutionary perspective, men have been responsible for physically demanding activities such as hunting and fighting.

Therefore, larger and stronger men had higher survival rates, and these traits have been imprinted in their genes.

The Influence of Genes and Hormones

The difference in physique between men and women can also be explained by genes and hormones.

In particular, testosterone, a male hormone, promotes muscle development.

Men secrete more testosterone than women, which makes it easier for muscles to develop.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the male body and is a type of steroid hormone. It can be described as the primary hormone responsible for forming male sexual characteristics.

Testosterone greatly influences sexual behavior, muscle development, bone density, and male secondary sexual characteristics (such as growth of body hair and voice change). This hormone can also be a factor making men energetic and aggressive.

A small amount of testosterone is also produced in the female body, but its quantity is much less than that in men. In women, testosterone affects bone density, maintenance of muscles, and some sexual behaviors.

In summary, testosterone is a critical hormone that shapes unique male sexual characteristics and maintains the health of muscles and bones in the body.


Comparison with Other Animals

Other animals’ gender and body size relationships

So, what about non-human creatures?

In fact, when looking at all creatures as a whole, the size difference between males and females is not always consistent.

For example, in the world of spiders, it is common for females to have larger bodies than males.

This is said to be due to differences in each creature’s evolutionary process.


Is the difference in body size by gender unique to humans?

This is believed to be a result of humans forming societies and taking on specific roles within them.

In human society, men often took on roles that required physical strength, such as hunting and defense.

This is considered to have been a factor in the evolution of men having larger, stronger bodies.

Physical challenges faced by women due to their smaller stature.

Risks for women due to physical disparities.

There are risks to women that arise from the physical differences between men and women.

Due to their smaller bodies, women may be at a disadvantage in certain sports or jobs.

In addition, their lesser strength can make it difficult for them to protect themselves from physical danger.

Even though we understand that these differences in body size are inevitable, there are times when women can have frightening experiences.


Men need to understand that women are physically weaker.

Men dating women need to understand that women may have less physical strength.

From a man’s perspective, it might seem like “she can handle this much, right?” But from a woman’s perspective, lifting it might actually be difficult.

Basically, it’s important for men to take on roles that require strength.


Women’s strength lies in endurance and communication skills

Many women are more adept at performing detailed tasks over long periods than men.

While not a universally accepted theory, there is a belief that women possess greater endurance than men.

In historical contexts, men would exert bursts of energy to hunt and capture prey. This need for explosive force necessitates a larger physique and more muscle mass.

Conversely, due to their larger size, men require more energy, which is said to contribute to a decrease in sustained endurance.


Women, having less muscle mass, require less energy and are believed to possess the endurance to keep moving for extended periods of time.

For instance, consider household chores. Men often tire quickly and stop, whereas women can carry on with multiple tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and cooking.

This suggests that when it comes to enduring tedious tasks, women have the upper hand.

Even in our home, I’ve noticed that Haremi can keep up with household chores for much longer periods than I can.


Women’s Communication Skills

During the era when men engaged in hunting, women remained in the village and performed tasks such as farming.

While doing agricultural work, women maintained community and established positive relationships through communication.

It is said that this communication ability allowed for coordination within the village, enabling collective responses when faced with external threats.

The presence of women in conversations sometimes creates a smoother dynamic compared to when only men are present, and this may be one of the reasons behind it.

Women also excel in their ability to gather various information through communication.

This enables them to quickly notice any changes in their children’s well-being, such as their physical condition.

In the realm of parenting, women’s communication skills play a vital role in effectively fulfilling their responsibilities.


The summary: Meaning of sexual dimorphism in body size – Understanding from a biological perspective

In this discussion, we have explained why men tend to have larger bodies and weaker physical strength compared to women. This is influenced by biological factors and the social structure of human society.

However, it’s important to note that the difference in physical strength due to body size is not the sole determinant. Men have their own roles involving physical strength, while women have roles that require endurance and communication skills, among others.

By understanding and acknowledging these differences, we may be able to foster better understanding and mutual respect in our interactions with each other.


Laugho Haremi

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