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 ...
You need a return to your indoctrination center. Men and Women are not equal they are the same.
Says who????????????????????????????????????????
LOL. ;) ;)
Blum is dumb?
Okay, I'm not a feminist, far from it, but that was a supremely asinine remark to make. Women didn't seek the education? No kidding. It was taboo. Since that stigma has been lifted you have seen an exponential increase in women in higher education. Yes or no?
And where is the evidence that refutes this hypothesis?
Just one questun, ifin we is all so dum, then why is all of yous so afraid of uz so as to insult uz all de tyme?
Give me a break.
Take it from a man with three grown daughters and a wife of thirty-eight years men who go out of their way to say stupid things like this are not that bright either. Not if he craves a piece or peace and quite.
Ms. Summers needs to understand men and women are DIFFERENT, AND THANK GOD FOR THE DIFFERENCE. Life would be so drab if we were all the same.
And where is the evidence that refutes this hypothesis?
I don't understand why women spend time worrying whether men think they're intelligent? There are so many other important things to worry about like the encroachment of big government in the United States. Let's fix that, not what some ignoramus thinks.
NO! It's not over until womyn get admited at Augusta.
Bitter, middle-aged feminista alert!
In any case, the whole argument is two sides of the same leftist coin. Maybe men are, on average, more talented in math and science than women. Maybe they're not. But to make a big deal out of it is to induldge in thinking of people as belonging to their, not treating them as individuals.
If scientists are judged, as individuals, on their work, not on their sex, then it doesn't matter whether men are, on the average, better scientists than women. Those women who are the best will get their fair shake, whether women happen to be 50%, 25%, or for that matter 75% of the best.
And that is what matters: The best individuals getting what they deserve. Not whether the best happens to be a 50/50 split.
IF men can be just as nurturing as MOTHERS, then how come most mothers are women?
Sheesh... I thought they had this figured out when Time Magazine put it on the cover... what, 14 years ago???
DUM DUMS, men and women are different... you know... like NOT THE SAME!
Vive le Differance!!!!
Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.
That is still the case.
Oh Please, pretty please with cherries on top, please please let me do science! I promise to do it most excellently.
AACK! This raging female writer is insulting women in her lame attempt to defend against a recent attack that never was....
Why is necessity the MOTHER of invention?
Hmmmmm?
ROFL!
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