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Scientists discover the darndest things — especially by accident. In this case, researchers at London’s Institute of Child Health were looking into a genetic disorder in girls called Turner’s syndrome, the most notable symptom of which is a lack of social skills, interrupting others in conversation and misreading moods. Trouble is, they only have one complete X chromosome, inherited from their mothers — like men, who are XY. This would suggest that rude, aggressive men simply cannot help themselves; they’re born that way. They can learn social skills, says lead researcher David Scuse, “but they are not very good at them in the first place.” (Dr. “Scuse” indeed …) Nature vs. nurture being what it is, of course, some guys can be pretty nice. But does this mean the louts have a free pass? Discuss!
Comments (6)
Comment
My nature beat up your nurture.
posted by Robert on 1-23-2007 at 9:50 am
Hey, if I can use my female hormones to explain away why I threw a shoe at his head, he can use a genetic predisposition to explain away the snarky comment that prompted the shoe throwing….but my excuse only works once a month. No fairs.
Still, I’m going to have to look this research up. Seems like some mighty big leaps are being made here. Got any links? I’m having a hard time finding it.
posted by Lyssa on 1-23-2007 at 10:25 am
Guys have been using the “I’m just a guy” excuse for ages now. Did they really need science to help them out? Wasn’t there a ketchup speed study these guys could have been working on?
posted by Andy on 1-23-2007 at 10:43 am
I can excuse a little stupidity, admittedly we ladies expect it, but I won’t stick around for chronic thoughtlessness or (at worst) abuse under any circumstances.
posted by Andie on 1-23-2007 at 10:54 am
I saw a bit of a program on Discovery Health, I think… About transexuals undergoing gender reassignment and something that I found interesting was how the women spoke of how their moods and general emotional states changed with hormone therapy. They said they felt more aggressive and that they could distance themselves from their emotions more easily.
There are so many factors that go into making a human being that I don’t think anything can be chosen as the sole cause of antisocial behavior, except in rare, extreme cases (autism being an example). For the rest of us, we can and should take responsibility for our actions, imho.
posted by Milica on 1-23-2007 at 12:12 pm
I don’t buy any of that mess. People act the way they feel like acting and it ain’t got nothin to do with the parts you pee out of. And that one chick who commented: making jokes about pms or periods or whatever, is TIRED. Is it fun to adhere so closely to stereotypes? I don’t. I’m pleasant as a lamb all year long except for when too many folks start thinking they’re suddenly comedians. Or if they’re being unreasonable on purpose.
posted by Amanda on 1-25-2007 at 4:56 pm