r/PeterExplainsTheJoke • u/WithSkelly • Apr 24 '26

Meme needing explanation Lois?

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u/plantang Apr 24 '26

Wait... You don't think gender norms are influenced by social or cultural norms? You think men are biologically incapable of being attentive in a delivery room? Really?

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u/Dismal_Cake Apr 24 '26

I think most differences are explainable by social, cultural and economic differences. But that there's not enough research to explain why so many straight men show this pattern (as compared to gay men or non-pregnant lesbian partners).

If it is a biological reason, I don't want to accidentally discount it. Drawing on mammalian populations, there are a lot of species where mothers care more for their offspring than fathers. If it is a biological reason, then isn't it sexist to have equal expectations on both genders?

Personally I would believe it's a socio-economic reason unless it's proven otherwise. I just made my comment because we don't have the research to explain the differences yet unlike race based differences. I guess I could have worded that more clearly considering the downvotes.

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u/plantang Apr 24 '26

It's safe to assume there is nothing biological preventing men from behaving the way the man in the post is behaving.

Social and cultural forces drive differing behavioral trends across racial and gender lines.

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u/Dismal_Cake Apr 24 '26

I'd assume so, but we don't know that for sure. Imagine blaming women for not being able to carry heavy loads and saying it's a socio-economic factor? If there is a biological reason, then all the comments here jeering men would be awful and I don't want to be a part of it.

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u/plantang Apr 24 '26

There is common sense and loads of research indicating behavioral differences between genders have a social basis.

You can assume women are physically weaker because of a physical difference and men behave differently in the delivery room because of a social difference.

Either way it's biased and rude to act shocked when a woman lifts a heavy box or when a man supports his partner.

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u/Dismal_Cake Apr 24 '26

We’re not in disagreement. Nor am I acting shocked. It seems you dislike the fact that I’m leaving space for alternate explanations when this very specific behavior has not been researched yet.

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u/plantang Apr 25 '26

I'd be surprised if this hasn't been researched but I'll concede that I haven't read any. I'm not bothered by room for other explanation, but I don't think there should be any doubt that men are physically capable of supporting their partners, as this is evident. I wasn't saying you were shocked; I was referring the the OP. Have a good day, mate.