Competitiveness for Men & Women
Some claim that men are naturally more competitive than women.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Men are stereotypically considered to be more competitive than women. In my opinion, though this is ostensibly true, in fact, competitiveness just finds different expression in females.
The traditional argument in favor of this claim is that men are predisposed genetically to aggressive traits. Men have elevated levels of the hormone testosterone. This is supposedly an evolved adaptation as males in human pre-history had to battle one another for dominance and required a surplus of strength to hunt and provide for the whole family. In the modern world, this translates to a heightened aggressiveness often reflected in the number of ambitious men, driven to excel in their chosen field. Numerous studies and tests have confirmed the surface-level validity of this argument.
However, this ignores the fact that women simply have different outlets for their competitive qualities. In the past, societal prejudices often discouraged women from expressing an interest in competitive sports and ambitious career paths. It is now more common for females to embrace their competitive drive and strive for goals similar to men. However, this is merely a redirection of innate desires that were already present. Instead of competing in traditionally competitive fields, women in past generations focused their energies towards more domestic matters. These might not have been as seemingly competitive but women nonetheless had to compete against each other to gain the highest possible position in society available to them at the time.
In conclusion, despite the evolutionary evidence to support the natural competitiveness of males, I feel that the sexes are generally equal in this area though women express this desire more subtly. Such narrow stereotyping of both genders is often overly simplistic.
Analysis
1. Men are stereotypically considered to be more competitive than women. 2. In my opinion, though this is ostensibly true, in fact, competitiveness just finds different expression in females.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. The traditional argument in favor of this claim is that men are predisposed genetically to aggressive traits. 2. Men have elevated levels of the hormone testosterone. 3. This is supposedly an evolved adaptation as males in human pre-history had to battle one another for dominance and required a surplus of strength to hunt and provide for the whole family. 4. In the modern world, this translates to a heightened aggressiveness often reflected in the number of ambitious men, driven to excel in their chosen field. 5. Numerous studies and tests have confirmed the surface-level validity of this argument.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- You can use research as support.
1. However, this ignores the fact that women simply have different outlets for their competitive qualities. 2. In the past, societal prejudices often discouraged women from expressing an interest in competitive sports and ambitious career paths. 3. It is now more common for females to embrace their competitive drive and strive for goals similar to men. 4. However, this is merely a redirection of innate desires that were already present. 5. Instead of competing in traditionally competitive fields, women in past generations focused their energies towards more domestic matters.65. These might not have been as seemingly competitive but women nonetheless had to compete against each other to gain the highest possible position in society available to them at the time.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- as fully as possible!
- Finish with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, despite the evolutionary evidence to support the natural competitiveness of males, I feel that the sexes are generally equal in this area though women express this desire more subtly. 2. Such narrow stereotyping of both genders is often overly simplistic.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
Men are stereotypically considered to be more competitive than women. In my opinion, though this is ostensibly true, in fact, competitiveness just finds different expression in females.
The traditional argument in favor of this claim is that men are predisposed genetically to aggressive traits. Men have elevated levels of the hormone testosterone. This is supposedly an evolved adaptation as males in human pre-history had to battle one another for dominance and required a surplus of strength to hunt and provide for the whole family. In the modern world, this translates to a heightened aggressiveness often reflected in the number of ambitious men, driven to excel in their chosen field. Numerous studies and tests have confirmed the surface-level validity of this argument.
However, this ignores the fact that women simply have different outlets for their competitive qualities. In the past, societal prejudices often discouraged women from expressing an interest in competitive sports and ambitious career paths. It is now more common for females to embrace their competitive drive and strive for goals similar to men. However, this is merely a redirection of innate desires that were already present. Instead of competing in traditionally competitive fields, women in past generations focused their energies towards more domestic matters. These might not have been as seemingly competitive but women nonetheless had to compete against each other to gain the highest possible position in society available to them at the time.
In conclusion, despite the evolutionary evidence to support the natural competitiveness of males, I feel that the sexes are generally equal in this area though women express this desire more subtly. Such narrow stereotyping of both genders is often overly simplistic.
Answers
stereotypically considered thought about in a prejudiced way
competitive wanting to beat other people, aggressive
ostensibly true seems to be the case
in fact actually
different expression varied ways
females woman
traditional argument old claim
claim argument
predisposed genetically innately built
aggressive traits competitive qualities
elevated levels increased amounts
hormone testosterone chemical that makes you aggressive
supposedly apparently
evolved adaptation learned over time
in human pre-history before people started writing down histories
battle one another for dominance fight for supremacy
required needed
surplus more than needed
strength power
hunt catch animals
provide for the whole family support everyone
in the modern world in today’s world
translates means
heightened aggressiveness more competitiveness
reflected in mirrored in
ambitious competitive, wanting to excel over others
driven to excel pushed to do well
chosen field where they work
numerous studies many reports
surface-level validity superficially true
ignores the fact that doesn’t pay attention to
different outlets varied ways
competitive qualities aggressive traits
in the past formerly
societal prejudices discrimination in public perception
discouraged not encouraged, dissuaded
expressing showing
interest in care about
ambitious career paths trying to excel in a career
embrace cherish, enjoy
competitive drive trying hard to excel
strive for try hard
merely only
redirection change the way
innate desires basic inclinations
already present there right now
instead of rather than
past generations focused people a long time ago cared about
towards to/at
domestic matters household things
seemingly apparently
nonetheless regardless
against each other fighting one another
gain get
highest possible position in society pinnacle of their place in life
available to them at the time can be found then
despite regardless of
evidence support
natural innate
generally equal overall about the same
area place
desire drive
subtly not overtly, quietly
narrow simplistic, not broad
simplistic not complex
Pronunciation
Vocabulary Practice
Men are s__________________________d to be more c_______________e than women. In my opinion, though this is o___________________e, i_________t, competitiveness just finds d_________________n in f__________s.
The t____________________t in favor of this c____m is that men are p_____________________y to a____________________s. Men have e__________________s of the h_____________________e. This is s______________________y an e_____________________n as males i___________________y had to b_____________________________e and r____________d a s__________s of s_________h to h______t and p________________________y. I_____________________d, this t_____________s to a h_________________________s often r_____________n the number of a_______________s men, d_________________l in their c_______________d. N_________________s and tests have confirmed the s_____________________y of this argument.
However, this i__________________________t women simply have d____________________s for their c_____________________s. I_______________t, s________________s often d____________d women from e___________g an i_____________n competitive sports and a_________________s. It is now more common for females to e___________e their c________________e and s____________r goals similar to men. However, this is m_______y a r_______________n of i_______________s that were a________________t. I____________f competing in traditionally competitive fields, women in p_____________________d their energies t__________s more d__________________s. These might not have been as s____________y competitive but women n_____________s had to compete a____________________r to g_____n the h________________________________y a__________________________e.
In conclusion, d__________e the evolutionary e__________e to support the n______l competitiveness of males, I feel that the sexes are g________________l in this a_____a though women express this d_____e more s_______y. Such n______w stereotyping of both genders is often overly s_____________c.
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
https://hbr.org/2019/11/research-how-men-and-women-view-competition-differently
Speaking Practice
Competition
- How helpful is competition for children?
- Is it good to have a competitive attitude?
- How are the attitudes of professionals and amateurs different?
- How are children awarded competition prizes in your country?
- What are the adverse effects of competition on children?
Writing Practice
In many schools and universities today, women have a tendency to study the humanities (such as the arts and languages) while men more often major in science related subjects. Some believe this tendency should be changed.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Today, stereotypes are created where it is said that men are naturally competitive than women in all aspects. I strongly disagree and endorse that both genders vary in competitiveness when it comes to numerous areas of life. I will explain my reasons in this essay.
Sports? Of course, naturally I believe that the male species are capable of competing as athletes compared to women. Scientifically, it is proven that men are built stronger additionally muscular, hence giving them a step ahead of females. However, in my opinion women can be more competitive if they work for it through exercise and diets.
Moreover, the feminine side mostly includes being creative, organized as well as possessing good attention skills. This leads to women having a benefit over men when it comes to, art and crafts along with organizing or decorating rooms. Considering being attentive and capable of observing details, scientifically it is also proven that women can tell apart shades of a colour better than men. Consequently, in my opinion with the help of these skills women can naturally compete in success against men in activities that include creativity and organizational skills, for instance, women are more likely to be better interior designers.
Be that as it may, although each gender can be competitive in plethora of sectors, I think with practice and hard work, females have the potential to compete in areas males naturally are successful in and vice versa. Hence, I deeply abide by the fact that both genders can be naturally competitive than the other in various contrasting situations.
Nice Shaima – try to avoid informal phrases.
Some parts read as a little too informal.
Please give feedback
People have had different opinions regarding the natural abilities of men and women. It is asserted by some people that the level of ambition inherent in men is considerably higher than in women. I, however, do not concur with the above statement. This essay will elucidate points to support my perspective in the forthcoming paragraphs.
In this modern era, women are equally goal-oriented. With the help of education and liberalisation, the female population is getting a chance to prove their mettle in the corporate world. In the past, many places that banned female employees are now opening their doors to the opposite sex. This is only possible because women have gained the talents and skills necessary to work productively in the spheres. Furthermore, whether or not a person is highly ambitious does not have anything to do with gender. Not all men have the same ambition. Similarly, not all women are without ambition. It actually depends on person to person and their character. Also, there are no scientific studies that can prove that women are less competitive than men.
However, some people argue that the competitive spirit of men is higher in comparison to women. This is due to the fact that the world was once predominantly a man’s society, wherein men would make money and women would look after the home and family. People who still think that this job role cannot be interchanged are conservation thinkers, and they are reluctant to move on to modern thinking that gives paramount importance to egalitarian society.
To conclude, despite the fact that some people deem that women are not as proficient as men, it has been seen over the past half century that women have excelled in all fields and will continue to do so in the forseeable future. Old-school people should supersede their attitude to keep abreast of the times and show aesthetic appreciation towards the female populace, who are equivalent to men in almost all divisions of the economy.
Great, Samaira!
Really nuanced and complex ideas – the conclusion is too long – write longer body paragraphs instead.
Thank you, Sir Dave.
There is a statement that men show better performance than women naturally. In my opinion, I consider that women outperform men in many aspects, such as the server industry and some sports.
Women are good at taking care of others, while men only consider themselves. Naturally, women took on the responsibility of raising young people in ancient times. Today, women show their gifts in the server industry because they can understand the demands of people. For example, we can see many waitresses in hotels or canteens instead of waiters. That may be due to the fact that waitresses can understand customers faster and more completely. Moreover, women seem to be more friendly to others than men.
In sports which require more skill than strength, women may behave better. Although in some competitions that are based on the power of athletes, such as football or swimming, men always win. But in those skillful competitions, such as shooting and diving, women may surpass men. Let us take the 2020 Olympics as an example. The first gold medal was taken by a girl from China who participated in a shooting competition. She got full score in the last shoot, and outperformed the male athletes in total score.
In sum, women may be weak in the strength of their bodies but strong in other areas. In modern society, women can work better in many aspects than men. In addition, we should consider women to be equal to men, as all sextures have their own talents.
Nice but be careful with some words like ‘sexture’ – not a word as far as I know.
Also try not to add on main ideas at the end of a paragraph without any development – like you do at the end of the 2nd paragraph. Better to just develop an idea fully.
Keep it up!
There is an argument that men are born stronger than women. For two reasons, however, I totally disagree with the view.
Firstly, women are highly- competitive than men in work areas. This is because female workers adapt to work under high-pressure. In other words, married women especially, develop the capability to feed their young one constantly along with cooking and providing daily support to elderly people at home. As a result of this, they perform highly competitively in the work environment. Additionally it is unusual for them to suffer from panic attacks or anxiety as they are skilled and well trained naturally reason behind is their ability to handle everyday challenges at home. While, in contrast men are unlikely to achieve these qualities and calibre to work under pressure because of the lack of experience. Hence, to be competitive, which undeniably women attain due to their hard work and potential dedication are well reflected in their prospective jobs.
Secondly, it is common among females to desire for self-reliance. For instance, in India, a large number of female students perform significantly better in academics than male children. The reason behind this is not because they are intellectually smarter than men but due to the fact they fear of becoming dependent on their partners, in most certain cases if forced to marry or indulge into abusive relationships. In consequence, these women grow up achieving higher prosperity and success in life than men.
In conclusion, while men may be born naturally stronger physically, in today’s world to compete with each other one needs to acquire intellectual skills, which ideally women have greater sense to attain by becoming independent and working under unfavourable working conditions.
Nice work, Priyanka!
Some parts are a little informal and there is some over-use of linking words in the second paragraph.
Threre are also a lot of run-on sentences – try to vary short and long sentences a little more.
Keep working hard!
appreciate
You’re welcome!