Does gender matter? Here are 21 reasons why it does.

During the current marriage amendment debate, the implicit and not so implicit, argument in favor of same sex "marriage" is that gender is irrelevant. Well, here's a great piece out of Australia pointing out 21 reasons why gender matters.
 
The piece goes into more detail but here's a distillation of the reasons gender is important. 

There is an enormous and growing body of research, encompassing the fields of biochemistry, neurobiology, physiology and psychology,which all point to a clear conclusion: that there are profound differences between men and women. These go well beyond the obvious physical appearances and reproductive differences; men and women differ at many levels, and also approach relationships differently.   As such, this document rests upon, and makes the case for, these four foundational principles:

1. Gender differences exist; they are a fundamental reality of our biology and impact our psychology. Our maleness and femaleness is a key aspect to our personhood.

2. Acknowledging, rather than ignoring (or worse denying), gender differences is the only intellectually honest response to this reality.

3. Gender differences are complementary; individuals, our collective humanity, and society as a whole, all benefit from masculine and feminine characteristics. We are better for having men with a clear understanding of their masculinity and women with a clear understanding of their femininity.

4. Gender identity confusion does exist in a small minority of individuals.  It is a painful pathology and warrants a compassionate response. However it is not the ‘normative’ experience and is not therefore a paradigm upon which to drive social policy and institutions. 

 The report goes on to say:

Gender is a basic physiological reality, which unfortunately has been politicised. This is not helpful. Men and women are equal but different, and these differences are complementary. In these 21 sections, we examine in some detail the ramifications of gender differentiation. The first fourteen points have more to do with gender in general, while the final seven points have to do more specifically with the issue of gender disorientation pathology.

The 21 reasons are summarized below:

1. Gender uniqueness and complementarity means that each gender has a unique contribution that can't be filled by the other. 
2. Acknowledging gender differences helps children learn more effectively.
3. Men and women are happier when they recognize these gender differences.
4. The masculine gender is an essential ingredient for fatherhood.
5. The feminine gender is an essential ingredient for motherhood.
6. Marriage is the best way for men and women to enjoy complementarity.
7. Gender complementarity in a life-long marriage is essential for the continuation of humanity.
8. Gender complementarity in marriage is needed for a healthy, stable society.
9. Gender complementarity in marriage between a man and woman is good for the economy. 10. Marriage between a man and woman is the foundation of a successful family and best way to protect children.
11. Gender complementarity in marriage is the best way to teach children about the value of gender.
12. Gender is important in understanding the significance of manhood.
13. Gender is important in understanding the significance of womanhood.
14. In healthy societies, gender complementarity is celebrated; societies rejecting this face harmful consequences.
15. Healthy gender development prevents individuals from developing compulsive obsessive disorders leading to sexual addiction and other pathologies.
16. Gender disorientation pathology is a symptom of family dysfunction, personality disorder, father absence, health malfunction or sexual abuse.
17. Gender disorientation pathology will lead to increased levels of drug abuse and partner violence.
18. Gender disorientation pathology will increase the risk of communicable disease and bad health.
19. Gender disorientation pathology will decrease life expectancy.
20. Gender disorientation pathology is preventable and treatable.
21. Gender disorientation pathology encourages the sexual and psychological exploitation of children. An impressive list. 

 Males and females are equal but different and those differences are important.