I believe gender roles originated naturally, from slight gender-based differences to the elaborate and unnecessary differences we observe.

Raising and feeding children is a full time job. It makes sense that the people who bear and feed the children stick together. And since its a community effort, the women involved in it were not limited to the women who were raising their own children. Human civilization seems to be based on the women.

Males don't bear children or deliver milk. They get to be mobile. And someone has to hunt and explore.

I think gender roles began with child-raising and hunting, two gender-based activities.

Yes, this has been my opinion for many years. Human civilization has succeeded in making most gender-based roles obsolete. Ironically, old gender roles are largely responsible for making human civilization successful, thus making them selves obsolete.

@Allamanda your second point I'd largely agree with and it is possibly worse for you than in aussie. Your first point though, I stated, more capable in many, which leaves open the idea that there may be jobs each gender could be better suited to. However your comparison of men's vs women's greater strength and height is a comparison of AVERAGES and the full spectrum overlaps considerably, so there are women who are much stronger than the average man or taller than the average man and so those women could do that job. I know you said, on the whole, but the overlap is greater than most believe, and also biassed becsuse girls are discouraged from activities which encorage the development of strength. If the employment market were equally available to all you would find women fitting into those positions (as they do in aussie) and in the same way that men can and do become carers. I know a specific instance of an woman 6'8" tall, who could bench press Arnie in his heyday and who is in our equivalent of your special forces. She can do anything a man can do employment wise and she could easily win most beauty contests.

@Allamanda good point, but I don't think we need to take the extremes to make the point. Your dad was obviously a powerful man, but labour laws in aussie limit the weight that a person is expected to lift to ensure labourers are not over extended and it is within the average women's capacity (around 25kg I believe). When it comes to physical work, women have an advantage in endurance. In general women can endure more for longer ( thank fuck or they'd bever tolerate us ) and are far more tolerant of discomfort and pain. Measures of pain tolerance show that women who have had a natural childbirth far outstrip men and other women in pain tolerance.

@Allamanda just fir example as well, employers in aussie are finding women better suited for traditional male jobs. Women are prefered as plant operators and driving those huge tip trucks because they've found they are more gentle on the maxhinery and the plant lasts longer. They make better truck drivers for the same reason and are more tolerant of other drivers. I don't especially like the idea that women are men's superior in many ways but I'd be a fool to ignore the evidence I've seen, and I'm a tough old bastard that doesn't take second place to anyone if I can help it. Women tolerate being beaten up every day for the sake of their children etc etc.

@Allamanda yes, and many fail to recognise the sheer guts and endurance that takes. I observe in awe and I'll be damned if I want to swap places. I'm thankful of my luck in being born white male because it is an easy and very privileged position.