This is a very interesting topic. More so because lately the question of gender and that of transgenders has been figuring prominently in the media igniting an ongoing debate.

Your notes of the behaviors noticed in animals is very revealing because there are quite a few similarities between say monkeys and humans in everything, including behavior. It is worth pondering about the results of experiments conducted using animals and correlating the findings with human behavior and psychology.

So, what do you think? Are boys and girls intrinsically different or are their distinctions a result of culture and gender beliefs?

Gender identity usually comes about in children around age two to three. Once they move past that age they start developing fixed mindsets about gender stereotypes. The main reason is due to gender identity being a biological thing. There are unmistakable biological traits that put humans into either category which are also observed and followed by children. They make their assumptions on the basis of what they see and observe, as well as what they are told or taught.

As far as feelings and other qualities go, it rests on a person's masculinity or on the other hand, femininity. A certain flexibility of gender is being seen in recent years with people identifying themselves either publicly or privately with one gender.

Again going back to the post, playing with dolls or with guns or trucks is defined by preconceived notions that are suggested by a child's observations form the world around them, or from TV or the movies.

But of course your post goes into much more depth with various details derived from scientific studies and experiments which is what makes it so unique and fascinating!

All in all, it doesn’t really matter what makes a boy a boy and a girl a girl.

The statement seems so simplistic but goes to the crux which is that being human is what matters. :-)