Why would men be from Mars and women from Venus?

I got a mail from a female friend in Ireland who said she definately thought men are from Mars and women from Venus and I started to ponder about equality...

I don't agree at all about the differencr between men and women. I'd say we are all different and it's not at all up to the sex wheather you get along or not. But then again, there are many conventions - men are supposed to behave like this and women like that - and if you stick to that, it might get easier, just bacause everyone knows the rules. But only on a superficial level, because noone can live by rules alone...

I think the basic reason why the men are from Mars... myth is still strong is that men and women are treated differently from the moment they're born. Boys are supposed to be out, getting dirty, while girls are supposed to play silently with their dolls. Many (most?) people resign and adopt to the way they are supposed to be, hiding their true desires and needs.

Also, boys are always grouped together with the other boys, the girls with the girls, and never shall they meet as equals. Of course there'll be misunderstandings! If all people were treated equally, as individuals, all people could do what they wanted to do, meet whomever they'd like to see and just act naturally.

Even now, there would be all kinds of people, though, some of them not understanding others, but that's only natural! The difference being that no more would men be from Mars and women from Venus, only some people would be from Mars and others from Venus. And others from all kinds of other planets too! We have to broaden our horizon...