Expert On Gender Differences

When an Expert on Gender Differences Denies Gender Differences

Expert: "Sex Differences do not Exist".

On a radio show - All in The Mind (ABC, Radio national, Australia, 30.4.23) - the expert shares his insights and explains that there is no such a thing as male/female differences. 

Sana Qadar: And so then in order to move towards a more equal society, based on what we know about how the brain treats in-groups versus that out-groups, what's the smartest or perhaps more effective way to go about that?

Dr Mark Williams:So to start off with, we have to eliminate the stereotypes that we're teaching everybody. And so to eliminate the stereotypes, we need to start in schools and we need to stop treating boys and girls differently when they're at school. We need to actually understand that these stereotypes are learnt and there's nothing actually behind them. So there's some beautiful studies recently done where they did meta analysis of all of the studies on the brains of males and females and showed there's zero difference between a male brain and a female brain.

Sana Qadar:Right?

Dr Mark Williams:All those books you see about the female brain are nonsense because there is no difference between a male brain and a female brain. And all the real research shows that there isn't one. So men aren't from Mars and women aren't from Venus.

What happens when an expert on gender differences says there are no gender differences? That’s what we heard on an episode of All in the Mind (ABC, Radio National, Australia, April 30, 2023). Dr. Mark Williams, a neuroscientist, was invited to share his views on how we can build a more equal society. His solution? Start by erasing gender stereotypes—and according to him, that means erasing any notion of sex-based differences in the brain.

Dr. Williams stated that “there is no difference between a male brain and a female brain.” In fact, he insisted that “all those books you see about the female brain are nonsense.” As an expert on gender differences, his bold claims carry weight. But are they really supported by the evidence?

Let’s take a closer look.

The Message: No Differences Between Male and Female Brains

Dr. Williams argues that the differences we think exist between men and women are simply learned stereotypes. He suggests that if we treated boys and girls exactly the same from a young age, we would no longer see gender-based differences in behavior, interest, or skill. According to him, recent meta-analyses prove that male and female brains are structurally and functionally identical.

This is a sweeping claim. Especially coming from an expert on gender differences.

Now, there’s no doubt that some differences are socialized. We all know that boys and girls are raised with different expectations. But to say there is “zero difference” biologically between male and female brains? That’s a much bigger leap.

Where Does This Leave Family Men?

As a blog for family men, we take these statements seriously because they have real-world consequences. Men who are trying to be better husbands and fathers often want to understand their wives and children more deeply. They want tools that help—not confuse—them. When an expert on gender differences says there are no actual differences, it puts men in a tough spot.

If you’ve ever sat across from your wife and thought, “She really sees this differently than I do,” you’re not imagining things. A growing body of research—not just outdated stereotypes—supports the idea that men and women process emotions, stress, language, and even risk in different ways. Those differences aren’t barriers to equality. They are parts of the puzzle that help us relate more authentically.

What the Science Actually Says

While Dr. Williams cites meta-analyses to argue that male and female brains are the same, the interpretation of such studies isn’t always straightforward.

For example, a 2015 study published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) found that while most brains are a mix of features commonly seen in both sexes, certain patterns do appear more often in males or females. The authors did not conclude that sex differences don’t exist. They concluded that individual brains don’t fall neatly into “male” or “female” boxes—but there are trends.

Likewise, studies in developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and endocrinology repeatedly show consistent gender differences in how boys and girls play, learn, and respond emotionally. These patterns appear too early to be completely learned.

Even in utero, hormone exposure affects brain development in different ways for boys and girls. Does that mean all men and all women are different in predictable ways? Of course not. But denying general trends because of exceptions doesn’t help anyone.

Men Aren’t from Mars, Women Aren’t from Venus?

Dr. Williams closed his thoughts by saying that “men aren’t from Mars and women aren’t from Venus.” Fair enough. The phrase is often used as a punchline. But it’s shorthand for something many couples instinctively feel: men and women tend to think and feel differently.

When an expert on gender differences dismisses those lived experiences, it can sound more like ideology than science. Of course, we shouldn’t stereotype. But neither should we pretend that the differences so many couples feel are illusions.

Understanding gender differences is not about locking men and women into rigid roles. It’s about building a deeper, more empathetic view of the people we love.

Why This Matters for Your Family

If you’re a husband or father trying to improve your relationships, understanding gender differences can be a valuable tool. When you recognize that your wife might approach communication or emotional processing differently, you become more patient, more curious, and more loving.

If your teenage son struggles with risk-taking or your daughter seems overwhelmed by social pressure, recognizing their natural wiring doesn’t mean excusing behavior. It means you’re parenting with insight.

We don’t help our children by pretending boys and girls are the same. We help them by respecting their individuality—without ignoring their biological realities.

The Takeaway: Respect Science, But Stay Grounded

So what should we make of Dr. Williams’ comments?

Yes, we should be careful with stereotypes. And yes, we should raise boys and girls to be kind, strong, and capable in their own ways. But being careful with stereotypes doesn’t mean erasing reality.

When even an expert on gender differences says gender differences don’t exist, it’s fair to ask whether we’re hearing science or social engineering.

At the end of the day, your experience as a husband and father matters. Your instincts are not outdated. Wanting to understand your wife’s emotional world or your son’s need for rough play doesn’t make you part of the problem. It makes you part of the solution.

Keep asking questions. Keep learning. But never let ideology replace wisdom earned from life and love.

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