This week we hear from a woman who is concerned about seeing a male doctor to deal with her menopause problems, a man (more…)

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In a Swedish study released this week, ninety subjects - including 25 heterosexual men and women and 20 homosexual men and women - were investigated with brain scans. Gay male brains appeared more similar to straight female brains. And Gay female brains appeared more similar to straight male brains.

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Another study from Sweden shows that different genes in the male and female brain are turned on and off. This new research identifies hundreds of biological differences between the sexes when it comes to gene expression in the cerebral cortex of humans and other primates. New findings show that some of these differences arose a very long time ago and have been preserved throughout primate evolution.

This week we hear from a woman who is concerned about going through menopause in her thirties, and a man who wants to nuerologically relate to women better. Listen here

At a recent family reunion celebrating my grandmother’s 90th birthday, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the juicy conversation shared by some women sitting at the table next to me. Carefully hidden behind my delicious slice of ice cream cake, I was a bit surprised to learn that despite the various ages and contexts of their lives, these single women - aged 16 to 90, including Dear Grandma - what these women wanted from a partner was more similar than it was different. From prom date-seekers and serial daters to divorcees and widows, self-sufficiency was the overwhelming theme.

In her discussion about menopause in “The Female Brain,” Dr. Brizendine, notes the interesting correlation between decreasing estrogen/oxytocin levels and women feeling, well, less willing to be caretakers. This seems to be a time of life where women become more interested in exploring their own identity rather than supporting the exploration of another.

Listening in a the reunion, however, I was interested in the independent streak that women of all ages expressed. For one thing, the stereotype of the commitment phobic male was turned on its head. Men, it seems, are more ready to settle down than ever, whether it be transferring to a closer college, proposing marriage, or moving to the apartment next door in the assisted living facility. But we are turning them down. Despite the fact that most women at the table would rather be partnered than not, the costs of commitment can seem high. Here is what I heard:

On what women don’t want:

“I like feeling self sufficient, being in charge of myself, my house, my investments. After caring for a husband with Alzheimer’s, I don’t want to have to share. I also don’t want to be dependent on a man.” – age 85

“I don’t want to be needed too much. Also, he should not be jealous of my girlfriends or animals.” – age 56

“I don’t want him to move out here, be miserable, and then make me miserable” – age 30

“I don’t want him calling all the time; I’m too busy studying!” –age 17

And what they do:

“Someone who thinks it’s cool I’m going to business school.” – age 26

“I want two 100 percents coming together, not two halves.” –age 30

“Decency, good grammar, a good driver with a nice car. It would be fun to have an excuse to buy a new dress, to look nice for someone.” –age 85, and seconded by her 16 year old granddaughter

“Someone to hold hands with while I watch General Hospital, and who will leave when it’s over.” –age 90

It appears the new-found and hard-won independence of my family’s menopausal standard bearers has spread up and down the generations. As one single 51-year-old summarizes, “The freedom to do what I want, when I want, with whom I want (including other men) is wonderful. It would be great if I found someone who fit my lifestyle. But in the mean time, I’ve having a ball!”

Spotted on: SavvyMiss

According to a couple of recent studies in Britain and the U.S., smart gals have a tougher time finding relationships, noting that for each 16-point jump in their IQ, their marriage prospects decreased by 40 percent.  (more…)