I don't neccesarily think the answer is entirely that men have more follow through OR that women are more unrealistic in their resolutions....or perhaps I should say, both are true in some regard. I think that women are socialized to constantly seek improvment..you can cast this is either a negative or positive light: we are always working on ourselves, which is good, and we are never satisfied with ourselves, which is not so good.  I think women always have a "self improvement to do list" on hand and probably make a lot more resolutions than men...so we are unrealistic in what we think we can accomplish in a lifetime, though each individual resolution might be achievable if we did not ask so much of ourselves at once.  I think men are less unhappy with women about who they are...or at least less inclined to think they need to "improve"...If they make a resoultion at all, they are highly motivated and goal oriented. 

I agree with you with regards to women constantly seeking to improve themselves.  Men I think are much more goal oriented and probably focus on one or two resolutions they are more apt to keep.  The other thing the article said was that the number one resolution for women was weight loss.  What do you think that indicates about our gender when there are so many other things to improve?

Someone must have an opinion about this subject.  What do you think it says about women and their constitution? Are we really follow-through people or unrealistic?  I am really interested in hearing from someone out there about this.  

Yes women are follow through people, however I have noticed that when it comes to new years resolutions...women often set....I don't want to say unattainable goals, but goals that are generalizations and are harder to measure. So when the question is asked "did you keep your resolution" the answer is often no.

For example you may say you are resolving to lose weight....but what does that mean exactly...does it mean losing 5 pounds, or does it mean losing enough weight until I feel comfortable? I think if you set a firm concrete measurable number in your head it's much easier to attain, and I think that's where men and women differ. Men will often set a specific goal, in the case for losing weight we will put a number against it say 10, 20 pounds what have you.

 

But then again we men often make easy resolutions that are much easier and do not take that much committment...like "This year I am going to buy a new TV"

I appreciate your analysis Definitive!!!   Come to think of it, nearly every man I know resolves to buy a new tv every year : ) ...and by the way I am still NOT smoking....shear will power though ( no naturopathic intervention ).

I appreciate your analysis Definitive!!!   Come to think of it, nearly every man I know resolves to buy a new tv every year : ) ...and by the way I am still NOT smoking....just will power though ( no naturopathic intervention ).

I think part of the problem is that women set goals that are harder to reach. More personal goals. But I also think that women are busier and their goals can get sidetracked easier.

PLUS some of my goals depend on the participation of my husband or someone else. Maybe other women do that. Set a goal such as "spend more time with husband" or "start up exercise routine with husband". "Get kids to do so and so" "Get mother to socialize more."

 Men's goals might be more personal and easier to attain.

That may be a good point.  Women tend to take care of other people and usually are the nuturers of the family.  So we are not just making resolutions about ourselves, but making resolutions for other people as well. I know my husband would never involve me in his resolutions, they tend to be personal ones he can only achieve on his own.  Interesting thought!!!

A friend told me recently that he exchanges resolutions with one of his friends he has known a long time, so then he is sort of accountable for achieving the goals he has set for the year. Apparently he achieved 80% of what he set out to do last year. 

I feel like those were likely very clear achievable goals though, whereas mine tend to be quite vague. I am not clear on whether that is a male/female dynamic or a personality thing. But I like the idea of being held more accountable for things I want to get done. If you have a friend who can keep you on track without being nagging, that might be a good strategy.

I was thinking about why we are so worried about following through with our resolutions.  Isn't just the idea that we are willing to try and be better people enough? Why are both men and women so bottom line oriented and why is it so important that we actually achieve our resolutions? After reading all of our comments and seeing that we are kinda "stressed out" about keeping them, it may be that we are totally missing the point of resolutions.,

I think it has to do what what sort of vague goals women will set, like loseing weight. It is a good goal, but it isnt measurable. HOW much weight, ect...I think its maybe true men tend to be more specific and goal oriented. If you do not know what your goal is how will you know when you attain it?
  What you empower you attract

Still, though, why does it matter how much weight you drop as long as you are making an effort to do so. I think so many of us still need to achieve a specific goal in order to think we have been successful. Maybe resolutions are just a concept that is setting us up for disappointment. When you "resolve" to do something, you are making up your mind to try and make better choices, no matter what they wind up to be.