Infant Brain Development Girls Vs. Boys

It is true that boys and girls don't always think alike. Although it has been confirmed that there are physical and chemical differences between the brains of boys and girls, many scientists suspect that the brain begins to develop differently in genders even before birth.

Testosterone

• Boys are born with more testosterone, which shapes the development of the brain. Male babies have testosterone levels equivalent to 25-year-old men. Fortunately, testosterone levels plummet until the child reaches puberty.

Size

• Boys have bigger brains then girls. A boy's average brain is 12-20% larger than girls.

Emotions

• The part of the brain that contains language and emotions is called the caudate. This region tends to be larger in girls.

Theories/Speculation

• According to the Baby Center, there is likely an area of the brain that propels girls towards nurturing and boys towards moving objects. This area has not yet been identified.

Considerations

• According to Scientific America, it is wrong to assume that every difference in gender is hardwired in the brain. The brain is flexible and biology is not necessarily predictive.