The Art of Manliness How Testosterone Makes Men, Men
Dec 6, 2021
In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Carole Hooven, a Harvard biologist and author of 'T: The Story of Testosterone,' dives into how testosterone shapes male identity and behavior. She discusses the hormone's influence from prenatal stages through puberty and its role in aggression and competition. Hooven challenges the idea of toxic masculinity, arguing for a compassionate understanding of men's contributions to society. Historical cases of castration illustrate testosterone's significance in male development, revealing its deep-rooted impact on both biology and culture.
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Arguments Against Testosterone's Influence
- Critics acknowledge testosterone's role in physical differences but deny its influence on the brain and behavior.
- They argue societal influences primarily cause sex differences, neglecting evolutionary and biological factors.
Testosterone Production and Levels
- Testosterone levels differ significantly between adult males and females, with males having 10 to 20 times more.
- In males, 95% of testosterone comes from the testes, while in females, it's produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands.
Castrati and Testosterone's Role
- Castration of young boys, known as castrati, prevented the development of typical male secondary sex characteristics.
- This practice highlighted the testicles' crucial role in male development, even before testosterone's discovery.
