Girls v. Boys

All this week, I have been volunteering at my church's Vacation Bible School. It has been an interesting social experiment as I observe the vast differences between boys and girls.

I am helping with crafts. We make fun little things that will be lost or thrown away within a week: Popsicle stick frames, foam badges, beaded bracelets. Every kid seems to enjoy each craft; we haven't had one child refuse to participate yet.

What strikes me, however, are the differences in personalities between boys and girls no matter their ages. Groups are divided by age: 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-11.

And in every single age group all the girls do the same thing while all the boys do the same thing. The girls will sit there and quietly work on their craft. They make it look pretty, don't use too much glue and carefully ensure it is complete and safe before playing.

The boys, however, are constantly talking and moving around. I don't know how many times I've told a boy to sit down and listen this week. While the girls patiently wait for instructions, the boys have already started on their craft because they think they know exactly what to do and refuse to listen to directions (much like men when the drive).

After the boys are finished with their craft, insanity ensues. They are up and yelling and instead of playing quietly with play-doh or whatever else we have for them (like the girls), they are making faces, running around and just don't stop!

I encountered a similar situation during my kid's soccer bouts this Spring when, during half-time, the girls would either run to their parents or the coach and sit and rest and drink some water. Meanwhile, the boys would still be playing soccer.

The energy level is boys is so much greater than that of girls it almost drives me nuts!

But why are boys like this? And why is it so different in boys and girls? Also, I wonder if it is different in boys who are gay (or for girls who are gay)? Do these personalities traits switch?