A recent article in our local paper referenced a study from Brunel University in West London, England, released in 2005, that studied the shopping behaviors of men and women in some 14 different countries. It appears that what we may have all observed or experienced during this holiday shopping season does, in fact, mirror the ancient roles of male hunters and female gatherers. Women like to take their time, searching the choices carefully, looking for bargains and taking in all the nuances of the environment as they gather up the best deals. Men, on the other hand, spend as little time as possible on their shopping hunt. They’re on a mission. They move in swiftly for what is usually a single purchase, then get out of the store as quickly as possible.

This got me to thinking about my observations of our two grandchildren, Isaiah, the ten year old “hunter” and Lily, the five year old “gatherer.” It seems to me there is something to certain genetic predispositions being carried by gender, despite our clear intentions as parents and grandparents to “level the gender playing field.”

Before he was five, Isaiah knew how to make gun sound effects, use a stick as a sword or pistol, and talk like a pirate. Lily has happily focused on collections of fairies, baskets of flowers, household odds-and-ends, first writings of shopping lists and menus, and gathering friends, real and imaginary.

Even in the holiday shopping department, the trends do seem to begin early. Lily was delighted to construct her presents, gathered from her craft supplies…a bag for her Nana with her glue-down glitter, hand-lettered name splashed across it; a T-shirt with similar design elements for her other grandmother with her name on the front and angel wings ironed on the back—a good afternoon’s project with her mom. For Isaiah, one-stop shopping in the local farm store, with quick (and thoughtful) selections for all his family members, except for the grandfather who took him on his “hunting expedition.” (Isaiah is currently fascinated by knives and quickly picked out one that he was sure his dad would like…Isaiah liked it a lot.)

How our children and grandchildren will carry their roles into their futures remains to be seen. My hope is that some of the stereotypical roles will give way and melt together to make stronger leaders and followers in distant tomorrows.