In these politically correct times we are supposed to think that men and women are psychologically pretty much the same; that differences in their behavior are due to socialization more than anything else, and can therefore be overcome.
However, in reality this is is not the case at all.
Clearly, men and women are fundamentally different in many ways.
Not only do people's real experiences repeatedly prove this to be the case, but every week there is another story in the media citing research confirming the distinction.
Dating and relationship behaviors in particular reveal a strong contrast between the sexes.
For instance, a study carried out at James Madison University in Virginia has confirmed that when it comes to dating men are much more likely to be in it for no-commitment fun, while women tend to look for committed relationships.
The study also revealed that women are afraid that they will become emotionally attached to someone who is indifferent to them.
Interestingly, men had a fear that was like the mirror image of women's: They were worried that the woman would want a relationship and they would lose their independence.
In another study carried out at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, psychological testing revealed that when women are on dates with men they tended to eat less food than at other times.
The researchers drew the conclusion that this phenomenon occurred because smaller meals implied attractiveness in some way.
Of course, it's hard to know why that might be, since that would require another very well structured experiment! But perhaps it's because eating is seen as a less feminine activity.
Or maybe there's some subconscious force at work.
For instance, eating too much might signal that there's a risk the woman may become overweight.
Whatever the underlying cause for this particular behavior, it is not surprising.
No matter how hard we try to deny it, men and women are very different.
And there will surely continue to be a steady stream of research findings listing still more ways in which the genders are dissimilar.
Unfortunately these differences continue to cause a lot of confusion and hurt.
But on the plus side they make for a very mysterious, interesting and exciting journey.
Simply put, if men and women weren't different to each other, then they wouldn't be men and women.
They are defined by their difference, in fact! Surely the alternative would be a lot worse.
And as that old cliche reminds us: opposites attract.