Educational Media Reviews Online

This two-part series explores the evolutionary reasons behind the differences between males and females. The first tape, Growing Up, covers differences in males and females through adolescence, while Different by Design talks about differences between the sexes throughout adulthood.

By comparing a boy and girl of the same age residing in different parts of the world, Growing Up explains how differences between the sexes begin at conception, and how behavioral differences are noticeable within the first six months of life. Though a demonstration of a controlled experiment, the documentary shows how boys and girls respond differently to situations such as frustration. An anthropologist is interviewed, discussing evolutions role in male and female behavior. The documentary continues by covering differences in the brain of the male and female. Hormones and their effects on development are discussed, including testosterone’s role in risk behavior and spatial ability.

Different by Design picks up at adulthood, discussing the biological reasons why men and women have different attitudes toward sex. The film continues with what happens when one is attracted to the opposite sex, the importance of scent and biological responses to sexual reproduction. Other theories are presented as to why the male body is better adapted to exercise, why women are better than men at processing emotion and differences in how men and women metabolize alcohol and vary in spatial and navigational ability. The documentary then takes us though middle age. Some of the changes that occur in both the male and female body during middle age are addressed. Finally, the film provides theory from a genetic standpoint as to why men die sooner than women.

Although it is not necessary to watch both tapes together, the two films do complement each other. Some of the same information is covered in both tapes. Recommended for a biology, science, or gender studies collection in an undergraduate library. The films are not overly technical, and they do a good job at capturing the interest of the viewer.