How the sexes perceive each other: Advantages and disadvantages

Two hundred and forty-seven female and 138 male college students completed a survey that asked them to judge the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of the other sex. Both sexes were found to perceive males to have significantly more advantages and significantly fewer disadvantages than females. Men based their judgments of female advantages to a significantly greater extent upon social considerations than women did for males. The reverse was true for disadvantage responses. Multivariate and univariate analyses of the responses within advantage and disadvantage categories revealed several significant differences between the sexes. These findings revealed a complex pattern as to how each sex perceives the other. Discussion relates these differences to differences between the sexes in life experiences and expectations. Suggestions for further research are offered.