Posted on 02/20/2005 3:32:14 PM PST by neverdem
GENDER STUDIES
In Victorian times, scientists argued that women's brains were too small to be fully human. On the intelligence scale, researchers recommended classifying human females with gorillas.
The great 19th century neuroanatomist Paul Broca didn't see the situation as quite so dire, but he warned his colleagues that women were not capable of being as smart as men, "a difference that we should not exaggerate, but which is nonetheless real."
The president of Harvard University suggested that a lack of "innate ability" might help explain why women couldn't keep up with men in fields like math and science … oh, wait, that one happened just last month.
Hold for a minute — OK — while I dig out my corset and bustle.
If that sounds snotty, I mean it to be.
I, for one, am ready to leave the 19th century behind. Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers can apologize all he wants, but the fact is that — from a position of power — he felt comfortable speculating about women's inadequate intelligence and ignoring years worth of science that proved him wrong.
I don't find that excusable. Period.
And I wonder why we women are so willing to tolerate this kind of behavior.
Summers raised the issue of women's lesser capabilities in an economic conference in Cambridge, Mass., in mid-January. And the most consistent response from women — the one still resonating across the country — is defensiveness.
A litany of female scholars quote studies proving that, yes, we girls can do long division, actually understand a chemical formula, comprehend a physical law or two and not only become professional scientists but do good work.
In fact, when allowed, women have done excellent science for decades, even since the corset-and-bustle days. The physicist Marie Curie won....
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
:>)
And here I am hoping for money.
You don't get it. It's not for YOU to decide for all women.
It was a joke, lighten up. I adore and respect women and think much more of them than I do my own gender.
18 going on 80...(so she thinks)
I agree with everything you just said.
Some people here said, that women go to college only to meet a husband. And that is just untrue. And that is what I had a problem with.
Is it? I think a lot of people go to college because it is expected that they do so. Others go for the social life and parties. Others go without ever knowing why.
Do you or do you not find it acceptable for a girl to go to college for the sole purpose of finding a man?
It isn't for you to decide for all women.
To say that the only reason- for women going to college- is to meet a husband- is just wrong.
No.
Some women DO go to college just to meet a husband. What's so bad about that? Is it a crime? Are they taking up valuable oxygen that more intense women simply MUST have?
I find it it acceptable if she can afford it and she plans to raise a family. But why is it up to me to find her decision acceptable or not? It's her life.
Lets define what you mean by going to college to find husband. Does the woman in question attend class, get reasonable grades, and all the while hope that she meets a man to marry so that she doesn't HAVE to get a job and support herself because she'd rather be raising babies?
College was my backup plan. It was a step on the road to being self supporting IF I HAD TO BE. I didn't want to be. I wanted to get married and have babies. Personally, I thought it was a pretty reasonable plan. I was covering all my bases.
Cool! That alone puts you ahead of the any female on planet Earth. Good job, and thanks.
Oh, okay. I thought you were talking about the *right* reason to go to college.
Your examples prove the point about some folks essentially wasting their money going to college.
It isn't wrong.
A judgement of right or wrong just does not fit here.
Hey, study anything ya want, just stop pestering me about asking for directions. ;')
Because it's flaky and silly. I'm not saying there should be a law against it but I can't believe you find it seriously acceptable.
And you owe me a keyboard. ;)
Well, it's quite a waste of money.
never heard of most of those people
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