Full Version: Men or Women: Which is the more generous sex?
Men or Women:
Which is the more generous sex?
Men are so decent, such regular chaps.
Ready to help you through any mishaps.
Ready to buck you up whenever you are glum.
Why can’t a woman be a chum?
— Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady
Woman seems to differ from man in mental disposition, chiefly in her greater tenderness and less selfishness.... Man ... delights in competition, and this leads to ambition which passes too easily into selfishness. —Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871
Questions for debate:
1) Who is correct, Higgins or Darwin?
2) If one gender is more generous than the other, what, if anything, should we as a society do to encourage more generosity from the less generous folk?
3) What is your definition of generosity?
Which is the more generous sex?
Men are so decent, such regular chaps.
Ready to help you through any mishaps.
Ready to buck you up whenever you are glum.
Why can’t a woman be a chum?
— Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady
Woman seems to differ from man in mental disposition, chiefly in her greater tenderness and less selfishness.... Man ... delights in competition, and this leads to ambition which passes too easily into selfishness. —Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871
Questions for debate:
1) Who is correct, Higgins or Darwin?
2) If one gender is more generous than the other, what, if anything, should we as a society do to encourage more generosity from the less generous folk?
3) What is your definition of generosity?
Questions for debate:
1) Who is correct, Higgins or Darwin?
Neither. Women make fine chums. And maybe women are tender/unselfish because those are tools they use for their survival; seeing they are less physically empowered maybe being tender is an easy way to manipulate men.
2) If one gender is more generous than the other, what, if anything, should we as a society do to encourage more generosity from the less generous folk?
Nothing, IMHO. Like they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
3) What is your definition of generosity?
Giving of yourself.
1) Who is correct, Higgins or Darwin?
Neither. Women make fine chums. And maybe women are tender/unselfish because those are tools they use for their survival; seeing they are less physically empowered maybe being tender is an easy way to manipulate men.
2) If one gender is more generous than the other, what, if anything, should we as a society do to encourage more generosity from the less generous folk?
Nothing, IMHO. Like they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
3) What is your definition of generosity?
Giving of yourself.
By sheer accident, while researching for some material about this question, I seem to have found the article which inspired your question.
Link
It's a very interesting article, which offers no easy answers. To sum up what I think the various studies seem to reveal, there is some difference in the pattern of generosity between women and men.
For example, in the "dictator game," where subjects were asked to decide how to split up ten dollars between themselves and an unknown person, women tended to be slightly more generous than men.
Of course, it is important to say here that differences between individuals are much, much more important than statistical differences between the sexes.
It's interesting to note that there is no real risk in the "dictator game." Everybody gets free money. In another study where people had a choice between keeping money, or putting it into a pool which would double in value and be divided among the group, the results were quite different.
Overall, it appears that women tend to be a little more generous than men in "safe" giving, and that men tend to be a little more generous than women in "risky" giving. This is interesting, but perhaps not very important when it comes to daily life.
1. Both are greatly exaggerating.
2. As I have said, there is really no meaningful difference. Everybody should be encouraged to be empathetic (where women have a slight advantage) and brave (where men have a slight advantage.)
3. My personal definition of generosity is the willingness of one person to aid another person with no reasonable expectation of reward. Risk is not necessarily involved. Donating blood, for example, offers very little risk for a healthy volunteer, but it is a generous act.
Link
It's a very interesting article, which offers no easy answers. To sum up what I think the various studies seem to reveal, there is some difference in the pattern of generosity between women and men.
For example, in the "dictator game," where subjects were asked to decide how to split up ten dollars between themselves and an unknown person, women tended to be slightly more generous than men.
QUOTE
Women gave an average of $1.60 to an unknown partner; for men it was 82 cents. Forty-seven percent of the women and 60 percent of the men kept every cent for themselves.
Of course, it is important to say here that differences between individuals are much, much more important than statistical differences between the sexes.
QUOTE
Almost no one could be called exceptionally generous – save one male who gave away the entire ten dollars.
It's interesting to note that there is no real risk in the "dictator game." Everybody gets free money. In another study where people had a choice between keeping money, or putting it into a pool which would double in value and be divided among the group, the results were quite different.
QUOTE
Men were far more trusting and cooperative. In one version of the game, they gave 94 percent of their funds to the pool; females gave 72 percent.
Overall, it appears that women tend to be a little more generous than men in "safe" giving, and that men tend to be a little more generous than women in "risky" giving. This is interesting, but perhaps not very important when it comes to daily life.
1. Both are greatly exaggerating.
2. As I have said, there is really no meaningful difference. Everybody should be encouraged to be empathetic (where women have a slight advantage) and brave (where men have a slight advantage.)
3. My personal definition of generosity is the willingness of one person to aid another person with no reasonable expectation of reward. Risk is not necessarily involved. Donating blood, for example, offers very little risk for a healthy volunteer, but it is a generous act.
QUOTE(Victoria Silverwolf @ Jul 2 2006, 12:51 AM) 
For example, in the "dictator game," where subjects were asked to decide how to split up ten dollars between themselves and an unknown person, women tended to be slightly more generous than men.
It's interesting to note that there is no real risk in the "dictator game." Everybody gets free money. In another study where people had a choice between keeping money, or putting it into a pool which would double in value and be divided among the group, the results were quite different.
Exactly. Ask them "you've just completed a week of working at McDonalds, how would you split up your $180 among the group?"
I think there would be a concensus on that decision....
This is the reason why there are so many problems between men and women. We try to find the differneces in one another. Why can't we just think of men and women as equals? Men and women both can be generous and selfish. Neither are exempt from that trait.
Fun topic, BD. 
I thought I'd ask Mr P this question over pancakes this morning:
His response, "The man is!"
My response, "Oh, yeah? Who got to sleep in an extra two hours this morning and take the first shower?"
His response, "Well...God is rewarding me for my generosity!"
I'd say it's pretty much a draw. I agree with the article that each sex is generous, but usually it's displayed in different ways. If the baby (when I had babies) throws up in the car, the most likely person to clean it is me. If we are in a snowstorm, the person to get out and put the chains on the tires is him. And so on.
My husband is pretty generous when it comes to charity, compared to myself. He'd be more likely to give the indigent man a ten dollar bill even though he knows the guy will probably just turn around and buy more booze. "If it takes his mind off his troubles for a few hours, and maybe he'll buy some food too..." But we both support giving regularly to legitimate charities (Christian children's fund, and now Operation Smile). I must admit he was the initial catalyst for this as well.
So, I'd agree with both Higgins and Darwin. I get up with the kids at night most often, and am the one most likely to drive across the country with them in my car while my husband leads the way in another. But, he's the one who unloads all of the baggage while we're sitting in the hotel room.*
I think the roles fall pretty naturally in the nature/nurture debate. Consider that the sex act itself tends to reaffirm these roles.
How to encourage generosity? Positive reenforcement is better than guilt. Start early in life with the kids, and lead by example. Let them come with you when you deliver groceries to the poor during the holidays. Teach them to feel very greatful for everything they have, and teach them that whats comes around goes around and good deeds are rewarded in the long run. Be proactive in generosity expecting nothing in return and others will do the same; good deeds are contagious.
*Thought I should add at this point (for those without children who wouldn't consider this) that when we travel we don't unload everything together because we don't want the kids running around the parking lot. We take them inside at night because they are tired and someone has to be in the hotel room with them.
I thought I'd ask Mr P this question over pancakes this morning:
His response, "The man is!"
My response, "Oh, yeah? Who got to sleep in an extra two hours this morning and take the first shower?"
His response, "Well...God is rewarding me for my generosity!"
I'd say it's pretty much a draw. I agree with the article that each sex is generous, but usually it's displayed in different ways. If the baby (when I had babies) throws up in the car, the most likely person to clean it is me. If we are in a snowstorm, the person to get out and put the chains on the tires is him. And so on.
My husband is pretty generous when it comes to charity, compared to myself. He'd be more likely to give the indigent man a ten dollar bill even though he knows the guy will probably just turn around and buy more booze. "If it takes his mind off his troubles for a few hours, and maybe he'll buy some food too..." But we both support giving regularly to legitimate charities (Christian children's fund, and now Operation Smile). I must admit he was the initial catalyst for this as well.
So, I'd agree with both Higgins and Darwin. I get up with the kids at night most often, and am the one most likely to drive across the country with them in my car while my husband leads the way in another. But, he's the one who unloads all of the baggage while we're sitting in the hotel room.*
I think the roles fall pretty naturally in the nature/nurture debate. Consider that the sex act itself tends to reaffirm these roles. How to encourage generosity? Positive reenforcement is better than guilt. Start early in life with the kids, and lead by example. Let them come with you when you deliver groceries to the poor during the holidays. Teach them to feel very greatful for everything they have, and teach them that whats comes around goes around and good deeds are rewarded in the long run. Be proactive in generosity expecting nothing in return and others will do the same; good deeds are contagious.
*Thought I should add at this point (for those without children who wouldn't consider this) that when we travel we don't unload everything together because we don't want the kids running around the parking lot. We take them inside at night because they are tired and someone has to be in the hotel room with them.
3) What is your definition of generosity?
Generosity, to me, indicates a willingness or tendency to give to others, whether it be money, advice, free help, or items.
1) Who is correct, Higgins or Darwin?
I have to say neither. I work in philanthropy (Prospect Research), and one of the factors I look at in determining whether or not a person will be likely to give, is whether or not that person is, or has been, married. My and others' studies have shown that married/divorced/widowed people are far more likely to give than single people. And among single people, I can detect no difference (using my definition, hard data and statistics) between males and females.
If I may chime in anecdotally as well, I have known many generous people in my lifetime, both male and female. Based on what I know, I'm convinced that there is not much or any correlation between generosity and gender.
Generosity, to me, indicates a willingness or tendency to give to others, whether it be money, advice, free help, or items.
1) Who is correct, Higgins or Darwin?
I have to say neither. I work in philanthropy (Prospect Research), and one of the factors I look at in determining whether or not a person will be likely to give, is whether or not that person is, or has been, married. My and others' studies have shown that married/divorced/widowed people are far more likely to give than single people. And among single people, I can detect no difference (using my definition, hard data and statistics) between males and females.
If I may chime in anecdotally as well, I have known many generous people in my lifetime, both male and female. Based on what I know, I'm convinced that there is not much or any correlation between generosity and gender.
I agree with the neither as I feel your gender does not determine your soul.
Just from my own experience tho I have always found that those you would consider to have less or little often give or are more willing to help.
Just from my own experience tho I have always found that those you would consider to have less or little often give or are more willing to help.
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