Are men really that much stronger than women?

Question

Ok so I’m a 5ft 7 woman who weighs 65 kg. I’m fairly fit and like to think if I had to escape from a guy attacker I’d be able to as long as I played smart.

However I’ve heard people say the difference in strength is far larger than what people are lead to believe. Is this true? Is society giving me a false sense of security?

Would I be completely outclassed by a man of similar size?

mstbooblover · Accepted Answer

Generally spoken there is indeed a difference in strength, due for instance to the testosterone levels in men. Nevertheless let's keep in mind that the notion strength depends on what kind of strength we're talking about. In case of short and hard efforts, men are more likely to win, but in case of long lasting efforts and physical deprivation women seem more resistent. How could it not be that way considering for instance a 9 month pregnancy and the breast feeding of a baby.

There is also another aspect more specific to the example you're mentioning: being attacked by a guy. If a person, any gender, is really excited in whatever way, something happens to the muscle strength, which increases mysteriously, and the logical sensitive brain functions seem disconnected. Meaning for instance that if a very excited guy wants to rape a women, the guy's strength will be higher than in normal circumstances, and the victim may loose strength due to panic and mental paralysis or even fascination. Now, if the victim enters a very angry agressive state of mind, things may be very different at the outcome.

Still, keep in mind a woman does not need to be stronger than a man to defend herself, at least if she keeps calm and knows something about the art of self defense. In judo for instance, it's often the attacker's strength and weight that is precisely used against him. Everything is relative ;0)

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Yes, on average men are much stronger than women, even when they are the same size. This article explains it pretty well.

https://scholar.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/brzycki/files/mb-2002-01.pdf

But the differences are not limited to strength. Men are also more agile, have better coordination, are more aggressive, less risk averse, and are just generally more physically capable. If you put a team of men and a team of women of the same size on a basketball court and had them play a full game against each other, the men would destroy the women. Any sport that requires physical skills beyond strength will always be dominated by men. That's why a bunch of 15 year old boys can destroy one of the best professional women's soccer teams in the world.

https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/a-dallas-fc-under-15-boys-squad-beat-the-u-s-womens-national-team-in-a-scrimmage/

ShellyB · Accepted Answer

There are extreme cases where a girl is stronger like if the girl is really big and the guy is really small, or the girl is really fit and the guy is really not, or maybe a young woman vs an old man but in general, yes guys are much stronger, I would say typically 2 to 3 times as strong for purposes of wrestling or fighting. Now having said that I think you being able to get away from an attacker is realistic, there are personal safety training classes that can help with that, you just need to get away from him enough to draw attention so somebody will help you or at least he will think they will see him. I just would not expect to be able to actually beat him w/o running. And I think this is a good topic for everybody to discuss b/c I think the way it is shown on TV shows and movies might mislead a lot of teenagers about this stuff. I actually think it is dangerous for them to depict normal women being able to fight normal men like it is a fair fight.

BlueScorpio · Accepted Answer

Yes, the average man is stronger than the average woman. Men have testosterone and have bigger muscle mass, the more they work out the larger these muscles become thus making them stronger. Its also the reason why men can run faster as well. Some men have been killed from a single punch to the jaw or head cause of how strong the punch was and where it landed. There are some women, if they've had combat/defense training that can handle their own but it depends on well skilled she is, some men could still take her down.

LazerBean · Answer

Yes. You cannot go by just looks. A man has much more muscle mass than a woman of similar size, regardless of how they look. I've seen little old men that were my height and looked like they could have a heart attack at any moment be able to pick up twice as much weight at me and carry it down stairs multiple times. That's why I hate when people try to push that women can match a man in strength. The vast majority cannot even come close, and giving them a false security by telling them they can is putting them in direct danger.

Tenebrae_mentis · Answer

Yes, men and women are different biologically. High levels of testosterone in men helps to gain and retain muscle more easily. That's why men and women's sports are divided. A man of equal size to you is likely to be stronger than you unless you make a serious effort to build strength. But if that man puts forth even half of the effort to build strength that you do, he will be stronger because of his biology. Unless a man is much smaller than yourself, you're likely to be at a noticeable disadvantage.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

Without some training, your hope is definitely false. Pound for pound, men are generally stronger. But men are also generally larger, and when all other factors are equal mass is an advantage. So if he’s bigger, he’s almost certainly stronger. If you want realistic chances, take a self defense class. Lean toward jiujitsu and judo. Go a LOT until you’re comfortable grappling with much larger men. Then hope is replaced by confidence and you can rest easy. But not really. You still gotta go. People like to use blade analogies for trained fighters, “iron sharpens iron” and whatnot. But you can sharpen a knife and put it away for years and when you take it out, it’ll still be sharp. People aren’t like that. Without regular training, we get soft, weak and slow, mentally and physically. That’s not really a problem if you find a good group though. It’s kind of addictive.

Sparkie460 · Answer

Yes a man of your size will be able to over power you. In order for your to break free you would have to fight dirty and I highly recommend you do it. Kick, punch, gouge his eyes, and scratch to break free. I recommend that all women carry mace or pepper spray on them at all times. If you feel threatened, spray their eyes with the pepper spray.
If you are able to, I also recommend you to take a self defense course. They teach you to how to break free from any type of hold a man can put on you. Never let your guard down while you're out and about. Always be aware of your surroundings.

NathanDavis · Answer

there would be plenty and many of 12 year old kids that would already be your size and weight... and I did train many of them in sports, and precisely to do most out of their bodies when it comes to physicality

I saw many who also trained in combat, I myself was trained in combat and sports since a very young age and in part, this was for my own protection

you see... it is not only women who are in danger from dangerous people, it is also kids both girls and boys, so yes... generally speaking, not only men are much stronger women, but they are also leaning more towards physicality for various reasons, than most women are

but anyway, case by case scenario... your approach the correct one, best to play smart since that is going to give you much better chances against anyone, man or woman, armed or not armed... and the smartest thing in this case is always, prevention

bolverk · Answer

Men are trained to control how they use their strength from childhood, if you face off against a guy the same height/weight as you, you'd be surprised at the strength difference, it will over 30% higher in favour of the guy, as his muscles/bones are denser with stronger muscle attachment points, and that is in a guy who has not done any training, if the guy has any training you will have no chance at all.
And it isn't society that is giving you a false sense of security, but the false information put out by the middle class feminists who would never have to face down a man in a one on one fight.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes. On average men are much stronger than women. I say this as someone who has studied martial arts and trained with both men and women.

And if the guy actually works out regularly or knows a thing or two?

You’re gonna have a bad time. God just look at all the videos of some angry woman smacking a guy and he decks her once and she drops like a stone.

If he ever gets a hold of you, you’re at a huge, huge disadvantage. Maintain space and distance, run away, and scream bloody murder.

TonyV · Answer

Yes men are much stronger and yeah a guy your same height and weight still probably has the advantage.

So smart-ass guy. I think he was a rapper, not a body builder or anything crazy did a short vid swing "I identify as a woman" then did a bench press that destroyed the female record.

He was making a statement about trans athletes but the point is a random average guy can outline women who dedicated themselves and their whole lifes to lifting.

Berethor · Answer

Feminism give you a false sense of security, you better walk with your husband at night if you afraid. Yea men are much stronger than women, and also faster.

Summeroflove · Answer

On average yes men are stronger. Now if you’re fit you can be stronger then the average man. As well as your skill matters most even over strength.

Though it’s also good to carry a gun. No matter who you are. You have to think there is someone out there stronger, more skilled, etc. Obviously we don’t like to think about being attacked. But we can’t be caught off guard.

jbasch · Answer

Men have much more upper body strength on average than women. However, yes, I think that, in the scenario you described, a woman could escape a male attacker if she plays things smart. The key would be attacking vulnerable spots like eyes, throat, shin, and (obviously) testicles. That last one being a uniquely male weakness kind of complicates your more general question lol

Nik1hil · Answer

Man of similar size will not be problem, but usually guys aren't 5'7 and 6'7.

And male body weight distribution is much more appropriate for physical combat!/.

We don't have Boobs or Ass hanging !..

But we not tender nuts! Kick the nuts get upper hand!..

Without kicking nuts, you will have a fight a man who has a muscle body armor on him, at same stats

FilmGuy93 · Answer

Society is absolutely giving you a false sense of security. That and the laws. For some reason I can't figure out, society tells women that they should feel free to be as disrespectful and outspoke as possible. Men, on average are considerably stronger than women. You're 65kg, which works out to be 143 pounds. To give you some idea of what that means; deadlifting your entire bodyweight would be a light day for me.

Fireguy17 · Answer

there are things based on leverage etc. that can make up for brute strength.
I'm lucky, I am pretty much all upper body, just because I was built that way, so as far as shear strength goes, I really don't have any issues, plus my job keeps me going.
But as far as the author being attacked by someone larger there are defense classes that you can take that will even the playing field.
you se it all the time in movies, James Bond beats the crap out of someone much larger than himself.

Havthrills · Answer

I would think it all depends on the person and how the person fights. Meaning the woman and man. If the guy is ok at fighting then she has a good chance if she can fight. Strength depends on the person too. I knew a woman who had very strong legs. Stronger than I can do anything with. Lol.

Danny_dan92 · Answer

There is a very VERY small percentage of women that are as capable as men. However there are some men who are objectively weak. It all depends on how active they are + their genetics

Anonymous · Answer

Do you think you could bend one of these Metal Shoe Horn, with your bare hands completely in half, (like it's folded) quite easily?

TallAnon · Answer

Yeah, no shot.
That said, men are often taller on average too.
I'm 6'7 and practiced against a female world championship contender martial artist (think she got 2nd place), it wasn't even a contest. I was 16.

NerdInDenial · Answer

For the US military's physical standards, most women's maximum pushup requirement is the minimum for men.

AmeerX · Answer

It's a fifty fifty chance to defend. First you are surprised, then you are unsure of threat level. So it is not easy

Luckycharms12 · Answer

I no men are stronger naturally but I'm sure not true in every case. Hope never have to deal with experience like that

Guanfei · Answer

Yes. At the same level of training, men are physically stronger than women.

dolemite89 · Answer

yes the average man is way stronger than the average woman. There’s girls that are athletes that are pretty strong but that’s not the norm.

007kingifrit · Answer

yea, and their bones are denser too so they can take a hit better

LimitedBenefits101 · Answer

Relax, a 15 year old boy can take you down easily.

Heolurt · Answer

Physically yes guys are but there are always things you can do to get away from him.

Shy_Steve · Answer

It really depends on size and Fitness level.

Alex8736 · Answer

bottom line is don't let anyone violate your boundaries 😊

ser89 · Answer

Depends. I have a friend girl who are much lighter than me but a little stronger than me. She go to the gym and have good basic genetics

cootjuhh · Answer

i hope i find a real strong woman some day. ao she can lift me up and toy with me

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Yes men are far more stronger than woman are but that doesn't mean you can't fight off your attacker

Nomina · Answer

Lol, yes they are. That's just biology 101.

EmbraceThePain · Answer

A lot stronger, more aggressive, savage, etc.

slatyb · Answer

That would depend on your relative fitness.

User3191989 · Answer

Strength doesn't have a "gender"

Charliefretz329 · Answer

It depends on training and weapons

msc545 · Answer

Strength is not relevant here.

grega239 · Answer

Yes. The difference is kinda hilarious

swettannie · Answer

they are yes

Jouth · Answer

yess

Are men really that much stronger than women?

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Are men really stronger than women?

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Are men really stronger than women?

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