“Trucks are for boys and dolls are for girls.” Our ideas around femininity and masculinity have significantly evolved in recent generations, but there is still lots of room for growth. Today’s guest argues that understanding the differences between genders — specifically, the ways in which girl brains differ from boy brains — can actually break down those gender stereotypes. 

 

Dr. Leonard Sax is a physician and psychologist, as well as the author of Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know about the Emerging Science of Sex Differences, where he discusses key differences in how boys’ and girls’ brains are wired, including differences that show up even when the baby is in the mother’s womb.

 

Key Takeaways:

[2:02] How are gender differences relevant to parents of babies and toddlers?

[2:50] Girls’ brains develop much earlier than boys’.

[3:54] Leonard Sax explains differences in the visual and auditory systems among boys and girls.

[10:15] How do auditory differences play out in the home with toddlers?

[13:33] Leonard makes a connection between boys’ auditory needs and ADD diagnoses.

[14:33] The acceleration of the academic curriculum and the correlation to ADD and ADHD diagnoses.

[16:48] Leonard claims American doctors are more inclined to prescribe medication as the first resource.

[17:46] Leonard talks about varying rates of brain development among boys and girls and how parents should approach this matter.

[18:31] Every child is unique and is a mixture of masculine and feminine.

[19:20] The most important factor in raising a happy child, according to Dr. Leonard Sax.

 

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Learn more about Dr. Leonard Sax