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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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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