Understanding a Woman’s Perspective, By Kimberly Obehi

We all have experiences we wish to share, sometimes simply to vent, and at other times, we desire to convey a message. We believe that everyone has the right to be heard, and in this column, “Conversations Among Women,” we will provide real women, spanning different age groups, lifestyles, and work experiences, with the opportunity to voice their opinions on everyday life happenings.

However, before we delve into the intriguing world of a woman’s mind, let’s attempt to understand a woman’s perspective. How do women think? Do women perceive things differently from men? Is our understanding or interpretation of things markedly distinct from that of our male counterparts? Are a woman’s thought patterns and mindset shaped from birth, by her experiences, or by her environment? Let’s explore what experts have to say:

Before we attempt to explain a concept, we should first define it. What is the definition of perspective? The Oxford English Dictionary defines perspective as “A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines perspective as “A way of thinking about something, especially one that is influenced by your beliefs or experiences.”

Without delving too deeply into theory, a woman’s perspective is defined by how she views things, interprets situations, and understands the world around her. It plays a vital role in shaping her unique identity because her views are shaped by her background, experiences, exposure, and societal roles.

Now, let’s ponder whether a woman’s perspective differs significantly from that of her male counterpart.

Most research indicates that biological differences between women and men can influence their perspectives. Biological factors, such as hormonal differences, brain structure, and feminine genes, can affect our emotions and cognitive processing of information. Remarkable, isn’t it?

Another factor contributing to the apparent differences in how women and men process and interpret information is social and cultural effects. Overwhelming evidence shows that societal expectations based on gender roles, norms, culture, and upbringing have a significant impact on how women perceive themselves and the world around them.

Lastly, a woman’s life experiences play a crucial role. Her choices and exposure to family dynamics, societal relationships, education, and career spaces help shape her views.

From these influences, we can deduce that a woman’s perspective is not solely based on her gender—great news! It’s a complex interplay of individual experiences, societal influences, cultural backgrounds, and personal beliefs. In the end, a woman’s perspective is neither better nor worse than that of her male counterpart; it’s just different. Although both genders may share similar thought patterns when exposed to the same conditions and information (such as workplace experiences), we are, for the most part, beautifully different.

The excellent news is that if you desire to improve your outlook on life or perspective, you can. How? Simply step out of your comfort zone, be open-minded, seek information, show empathy toward others, be patient with yourself, but also persistent. Finally, be aware of your goals and reflect on your actions. However, I must caution you that this process requires discipline, which may entail some discomfort. I leave you with these parting words: Enjoy who you are! You are unique and beautiful! Be the best you can be and enjoy life. Until we meet again next week when we will be engaging in a conversation with some unique and beautiful ladies to explore how they are coping with the increasing transportation fares.

(For further reading on why women may think or behave in certain ways, consider delving into the following books: “The Second Sex” by Simone de Beauvoir, “Men Explain Things to Me” by Rebecca Solnit, “We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and “The Beauty Myth” by Naomi Wolf).

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not represent the opinions or views of Osun Defender