Carole Hooven, Ph.D.

So the brain, and we have very firm evidence, we can't do these experiments in humans.

So people don't like it when all the evidence comes from non-human animals, but most of it does.

And that's just because we can't manipulate genes and hormones and developing fetuses to see what happens.

We have some, quote, natural experiments.

But all the evidence shows that testosterone is a potent regulator of neural development and differentiation from females, which is why boys and girls aren't the same.

That is why.

It is 100% the reason, and it is 100%, in my view... This explains the birthday party phenomenon.

Yes.

There could be new evidence that comes out in humans.

All the evidence we have points to testosterone.

Socialization matters.

If you punish your kid for not being masculine enough, for being too masculine, which happens because now toxic masculinity and rough and tumble play is supposed to be toxic.

It's not.

It's healthy.

It's necessary.

Sorry, I get worked up about this because there's lots of evidence showing that, first of all, it is testosterone.

So even in, I'll just go back to the chimps, the males play more roughly than the females.

In many mammals where there is a sex difference in play, the males are playing more roughly.

There's a reason.

Yeah, bring us back.