Different by Frans de Waal

Does gender defines the way a person behaves? What is the difference between gender and sex? Do people born with gender irrespective of sex?

Chimps and bonobos are human's closest relatives in the evolution cycle. Primatology is an observational field which records the interaction of any species to understand its behaviour. Chimps and gorillas have very clear physical distinctions between male and female, and they are known for the male aggression. But if we set aside the alpha male theory, there is a lot in their behaviour that trumps the whole idea of male domination. The male is more territorial and hungry for leadership (which leads to more mating opportunities) while female are seen as the pilar of social cohesion, and in this role they do perform a lot of negotiations/power balances that the idea of alpha male sounds ridiculous.

Additionally, if we turn our attention to bonobos, the whole idea of any domination, authority, sexual definition/preferences etc just goes for a toss. Bonobos are rarely in conflict for power irrespective of gender. But this is something which doesn't sell, and to add injury to insult - their hypersexuality is something which is always whitewashed in any documentary about them.

Ultimate question - does the behaviour of closest primates tell how humans inherit their gender? Maybe or maybe not, depending on whom you're asking. But an observational primatologist can tell you that we've more in common with chimps and bonobos than we can accept.

This might not be the best argument defining gender dynamics but something worth a thought.

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