Frans de Waal is an expert on coexistence among great apes. The prominent primate researcher dedicates himself to the cultural clash of the sexes – with an enlightening look at our closest relatives.
Professor de Waal, let’s talk about the prevailing gender relations, about the topic of gender – nobody else does that!
I already have one thing for you: you are a man and you would certainly interview me differently than the women I spoke to recently.
In what way?
For example, interviewers tell me: “Biology is not to be trusted. For decades it has been used against us to establish our traditional role in society.”
Do you share this impression?
It can hardly be dismissed out of hand. For a long time, primate research has been obsessed with the supposedly unrestrained domination of alpha males, the passive nature of female sexuality, and a cult of violence.