I suppose men and women are about equal overall, but women have some special gifts, talents or strengths which experience shows are powerful in their sphere and in general.
Men and Women
Lets start with biology. Women tend to multi-task better than men, perhaps due to more or richer connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Another difference is the X chromosome, which may lead to longer life, even after bearing children and keeping the human race going. Last is their general natural ability to both raise family and work successfully.
In my opinion, women are about equal to men in almost every scientific and career field of endeavor, especially as they develop their specific individual and gender-based divergencies. They continue to change our market and work environments.
Men are not without merit and ability, which I will address, but our work-world is still very geared toward men and men-saturated, which means women currently face obstacles.
One of the 'weaknesses' of men has became practically their greatest strength, which is the ability to focus. The burned out connection-bridge between hemispheres, allows them to forget, shut out and fail to notice distracting detail. Men have learned and evolved to use this as a strength.
Examples of Unique Female Accomplishment
There are always female exceptions, and the ability to focus is not unique to men. Lets take Grace Hooper and Temple Grandin as examples.
Grandin helped revolutionize the meat processing industry. It was her ability to open minds to ideas and push them forward with such mission and single-mindedness, which brings her attention. Her personal touch filled with self-affecting details helped open her mind to a completely new, detailed and compassionate ways of thinking.
It is not just about intelligence but about ability to accomplish. Men can often ‘outproduce’ women, but at what price? They are truly useful on one level, but women often influence broadly, adding a special unassuming creativity. This is becoming more and more recognized and essential in the work place. Women also tend to more easily balance energy over multiple aspects of life.
In any case, Hooper is an example to the contrary when it comes to pure production. More or less, she ground forward the invention of the programming language, inspired by Ada Lovelace and men (like Aiken) and women (like Betty Holberton) in the field. Yes, the old fashion compiler was much her idea and creation, but she influenced so much for so long, that she gets partial credit for much of the natural evolution of computing. It was not one absolutely brilliant flare, but many small refined and enlightened ideas, and accomplishments, over her lifetime.
She is distinguished for ever learning, working hard and accomplishing more. Under her leadership in navy and industry, about one third of all modern advancements in software were made, until recent generations. She was also a professor, and loved teaching in and out of the Navy.
A favorite hero of many is Florence Nightingale, who succeeded greatly in what was mostly a man’s expertise. Her changes revolutionized both nursing and hospital practice. This is a great example of how a field of endeavor can be improved by a complement of men and women, with their unique abilities. Now quite common is the presence of successful male nurses and female doctors. Her unique approach and purposeful drive helped her change our world of health.
History of Female Contribution
Society has evolved or settled to allow men and women to work together to accomplish a greater complementary good.
For example, for years men and women have worked together in the cottage and the field. Women might grow a variety of vegetables and watch the house, while men focused on harvesting a large staple crop. Back then farming and cattle were no mystery to the woman, and sometimes she would enter the field to do such tasks. Likewise, the man would do chores and help garden as needed. Both worked long hours to survive, complementing and helping each other as needed.
One pattern is that women tended to rest as they went, while men might spend energy in one long burn and come home exhausted. (And women no doubt knew internally how essential they were, especially as he slept and she quietly worked on.)
In my opinion, home and family work can be more versatile and demanding then outside work. Now that home business is less common, women tend to leave home to work. Part of supporting a family has been providing care, nurture, food variety, cleanliness, elderly care, efficient from-scrap cooking and primary schooling. What is left of this is still important, significant and maybe even more demanding then what society has expected or still expects men to do.
Men should respect women for their individual talents and abilities, even if these common tasks are not currently viewed as truly important.
Home And Family Work
Let me not glaze over the traditional role women have played in raising children. Surely this is the greatest most consistent work ever done in the world, and a key to our present advancement.
Never underestimate the value of raising children, which women have done and still do honorably, and which perhaps should be the highest priority of advancing nations. With greater education of women, who still highly influence children, has also come the greatest advancements in history.
Men's historical role however, cannot be overstated as protector, worker and complement to the woman, when he succeeds. Ants have come to the point where women are the main workers. Let us hope humans do better.
Women's ability to multitask, nurture others and approach intricacy, has often made them better at the home business. But things are changing with there being more time and convenience, so who knows what roles women will take or invent. The whole world is within their reach.
Conclusion
There is no evidence that men are superior to women, although it is subconsciously believed by many. Women and men’s differences may complement each other, however, for a greater good.
Traditional roles may have worked out in certain ways over history and in different cultures, but women seem about as capable as men in science or business, when all factors are considered. Of course, men have general strengths but so do women in ways not always noticed, including in the workplace.