The women in the south were taught to be ladies by their mothers (mostly overbearing) and the few girls that took more to the tom boy side always got along with the guys better. When I was in 7th grade, the girls still dressed just like the girls in grease (the movie) and we all thought the "sock hop" days in the gymnasium were worth waiting on.
The men were taught to be men with an attitude that no matter what happens, using your head will usually get you out of any fix you are in. Work hard, play hard, and love hard.
Never say anything to anyone you wouldn't want them to say to you and ALWAYS respect your elders.