New SVT program examines biological differences between the sexes

Arguments based on biological differences have historically been used to hold women back in society, according to both Yvonne Hirdman and Agnes Wold.

Therefore, they reacted negatively when they heard about the new SVT series From the Savannah to Tinder.

- We hope that the series can help open a conversation about how our biological heritage affects our everyday lives - how children play, how we pick up, how it goes in school and in professional life, says project manager Lena Laurén.

- And we believe that knowledge is power, it is better to try to take in several perspectives than to pretend that biology does not matter at all.

"Forgotten biology"

Angelica Lindén Hirschberg, professor of gynecology, thinks that we generally talk too little about biological gender differences in society.

- Of course we are affected by our environment, contemporary and socio-cultural factors.

But what is a bit striking today in society, I think, is that one has almost forgotten biology, she says in From the savannah to Tinder.

Men generally more risk-taking

Angelica Lindén Hirschberg describes research that shows that men at group level are more risk-taking and competitive, while women on average are more caring and generous.

According to her, these differences can at least partly be explained by sex hormones and constitute a partial explanation for the fact that there are more men than women at the top of the business world.

- I do not think that is a good explanation, given the male networks that exist among men at the top.

We know that, says Yvonne Hirdman.

- Is it so dangerous if men and women are not completely equal then?

asks host Belinda Olsson in the meeting with Hirdman.

- What I have seen is that power has always been legitimized on the basis of inequality, Yvonne Hirdman answers.

The meeting between Belinda Olsson and Yvonne Hirdman comes from episode three of From the Savannah to Tinder, which will be published in two weeks. Episode one will be broadcast on Wednesday 18 August on SVT1 at 9.30 pm and the first two parts are already available on SVT Play.