http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/opinion/brooks-why-men-fail.html?smid=pl-share
One of the key components to cognitive behavioural therapy, an essential part of most treatment programs for ADHD, is working on "cognitive flexibility." Being able to "switch mental sets" and use social perspective taking. In her new book, “The End of Men,” Hanna Rosin posits a theory that seems to go along with this neurological problem. It has to do with adaptability.
"Women, Rosin argues, are like immigrants who have moved to a new country. They see a new social context, and they flexibly adapt to new circumstances. Men are like immigrants who have physically moved to a new country but who have kept their minds in the old one. They speak the old language. They follow the old mores. Men are more likely to be rigid; women are more fluid."
One of the key components to cognitive behavioural therapy, an essential part of most treatment programs for ADHD, is working on "cognitive flexibility." Being able to "switch mental sets" and use social perspective taking. In her new book, “The End of Men,” Hanna Rosin posits a theory that seems to go along with this neurological problem. It has to do with adaptability.
"Women, Rosin argues, are like immigrants who have moved to a new country. They see a new social context, and they flexibly adapt to new circumstances. Men are like immigrants who have physically moved to a new country but who have kept their minds in the old one. They speak the old language. They follow the old mores. Men are more likely to be rigid; women are more fluid."
What is important here is that this theory has less to do with innate traits and more to do with social position and personal cognition. "When there’s big social change, the people who were on the top of the old order are bound to cling to the old ways. The people who were on the bottom are bound to experience a burst of energy. They’re going to explore their new surroundings more enthusiastically."
It's an interesting read, especially when you try to apply what it teaches about the humankind and come up with a means of changing how that mind works. CBT -Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - to me, offers an answer. Reading this NYT opinion piece is a good place to start.