Book Review: WHY MEN DON'T LISTEN & WOMEN CAN'T READ MAPS

‘WHY MEN DON'T LISTEN & WOMEN CAN'T READ MAPS’ by Barbara & Allan Pease is a delectable piece of writing, on one of the most popular topics, the peculiar nature of sexual differences, best exemplified in the exchange, How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper? It's unknown. It's never happened. The book condenses the story of how, over millions of years, the brain structures of men and women continued to change in different ways, to how the sexes process information differently, how they think differently, how they believe different things, and how they have different perceptions, priorities and behaviours. Perky quips like, 'My wife can see a blonde hair on my coat from twenty feet, but she hits the garage door when she parks the car', along with a logical explanation for each, are given to explain such particularities.

Using catchy one liner like, ‘a boy doesn't really lose skin sensitivity at puberty, it just all goes to one area’, author covers the whole realm of male female differences. The book, I think is based on hard scientific evidence, but the everyday conversations, beliefs and scenarios that range from the humorous to the downright hilarious make this fun to read. The author has succeeded in boiling down the evidence into the simplest explanations while, at the same time, adding entertaining expressions, whether what is discussed is physical, chemical, economic, social, or genetic differences. This approach makes the information easily comprehensible for most people, that too, without the need of hunting for a science journal. This book has the potential to help one learn more about both oneself and the opposite sex, so that the interaction and relationships can be more fulfilling, enjoyable and satisfying.

From the time they are babies to the time they relax in their sunset years, no facet of the togetherness of the sexes is not subjected to scrutiny in this. Plenty of fitting examples from our daily life are given, making the general impact of the book lively and involving. Importance is ascribed to scientific consideration at contentious points, while retaining the overall air of an amusing discussion. The book concludes with a suggestion. “Relationships between men and women work despite overwhelming sex differences. Much of the credit here goes to women because they have the necessary skills to manage relationships and family. They're equipped with the ability to sense the motives and meanings behind speech and behaviour, and can therefore predict outcomes or take action early to avert problems. This factor alone would make the world a much safer place if every nation's leader was a woman.”

As I found in all other books I read so far about gender particularities, in this book also, emphasis is given to certain improved ability for women to gauge, understand and react appropriately. And also, equally inferior talents for men to appreciate these things. However, just like the other ones, this book also, does not suggest a reason for the observed peculiarities.