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 ...
Childless women and an aging population...
What, and admit to being wrong?
Now you are being silly!
I wonder how well such an argument would've gone over with my parents. "Mom, Dad, I want you to partially fund my college expenses for the primary reason of enhancing my partying skills."
Well, for anecdotal evidence, my mother has four children and a career and a very happy marriage.
But we are talking about women who go to college and end up staying at home to raise a family.
And I cannot name for you a single woman, before now on this thread, who went to college to meet a husband.
So, if a woman happens to stay home and have babies after working her heart out for a degree, that is ok. But a woman who goes to college hoping to meet a man so that she can stay home and have babies is wrong?
My way worked out much better! I have a friend who is up to her butt in law school debt. See, she didn't think she was going to meet a man and get married. Soon as she got that diploma, she met a wonderful man and got married. Now she can't afford to stay home with her babies because she has to pay off law school loans.
Had she met that man 3 years earlier she would never had gone to law school. She wanted to be a wife and mother. Law school was her second choice.
You were the one to assert there were other "right" reasons to go to college besides getting a higher education. Which is pure BS (not the degree kind).
And can you imagine how long your parents would fund that partying education after they saw how bad your grades were?
I don't understand why you ask this. It has nothing to do with any of my points. If it matters to you, then go ahead and give us your estimate.
And I have asked you, directly and indirectly, WHAT IS WRONG WITH GOING TO COLLEGE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF MEETING A HUSBAND? several times.
So far, you haven't answered.
I'm waiting.
You said that men were more intelligent than women. Do you still think that?
And that women only went to college to meet a husband. Do you still think that?
So if one of your daughters gets into Harvard, and you going to say, "Oh, wonderful honey you can marry a Lawyer!:
I said there were other reasons, and I did not say any of the reasons were wrong. It's not for me to say.
And how many women have you, as an 18 year old, spoken to on this subject...?
Oh I get it now, you are being obtuse!
Lauralee, I have a number of degrees, and have taught at two colleges and two universities.
There is no single Purpose of college.
And lots of people (of both genders) go to school to find a spouse. So what?
No, you are trying to redirect me from my points... which you still haven't addressed.
Because college isn't for "meeting a man." It is for LEARNING.
What's wrong with going to college to party then?
I was taught in college that the most dense matter in the universe was neutronium...now my experience with you shows me that this was wrong...
Fine, if that's your honest opinion that's it not for you to say. Then you should have no problem with me saying the right reason to go to college is to get a higher education.
I think what you are seeing played out here is the dilemma that many women find themselves in today. Most are those with conservative leanings.
If I believe the best way to raise children is by having a stay at home parent (a conservative thought), do I go to college and have a career?
Personally, I'd ask my Harvard bound daughter if she plans to have a career or a family. Would I pay for Harvard (if I could) so that my daughter could dump my grandchildren in day care? I would agree that Harvard was a good idea IF my daughter did NOT plan to have a family.
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