The idea of gender segregation in schools, particularly from the onset of puberty, is widely accepted in conservative Palestinian society.

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While still relatively rare -- one advocate estimates that 0.25 to 0.5 percent of the American population is transgendered -- the idea of changing gender identity has become more widespread in recent years.

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Interestingly, neither group had any idea what the "gender gap" was.

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Now the idea that there is a gender imbalance in those who go into scientific studies and employment might be true, the thought that we might do something about this could also be reasonable.

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The BBC's Chris Morris in Strasbourg says some critics regard the idea of EU-wide legislation on the gender issue as patronising and counter-productive.

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"It's not gender based or age based, it's the idea that we are all human and we react to our environments, " he adds.

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But she said that judgement should be made on the basis of "capability" and she was "deeply uncomfortable" with the idea of excluding a whole group of potentially capable soldiers, just because of gender.

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He questions why the idea of human nature has become a taboo subject, exploring "hot buttons" like violence, gender and aggression.

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The idea has been popular with some top names in the legal profession, who are keen to see the gender imbalance redressed.

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