physically, in modern day design, children are recognised as not merely “small adults”. designs take into consideration their softer skulls, pseudo-kneecaps, extra bones, underdeveloped immunity system, different ways of processing food and even breathing. not to mention obvious proportional differences.
even when proportion is less of an issue, pre-pubescent and older minors have physical differences taken into consideration - different organ processes, skin issues, lack of strength, and different sleep and nutritional needs.
further, design for the elderly is massive - fragility, muscle weakness, lack of dexterity etc.
all this but still, medical, safety, and health equipment and advice for women is just designed for “small men”. next to no consideration is given to the differences between women and men unless it directly involves reproductive organs.
you may think many of the above are obvious differences, but are women having breasts not also an obvious difference? because regardless, in car design and CPR dummies, breasts are entirely forgotten about. teaching CPR for children is absolutely standard, but for women (50% of the population, mind you) is rare. children have special seats in the car, or may not be allowed in the front seat for safety reasons, but seat belts aren’t designed with women’s breasts in mind, resulting in women dying in more car accidents.
as a child, i was told endlessly that i needed more sleep than adults. I was never told that adult women need more sleep than men. i was told endlessly how children need extra calcium and vitamin D. I was never told women need nearly twice the iron intake as men.
women’s bodies make up half the population and every single new human life is dependant on them. It’s absurd that male bodies are always the priority when women are literally the only reason humanity can CONTINUE. it is absurd and borderline self-sacrificing for society to continue neglecting women’s health and physical differences.