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 ...
One semester. My mom told me that before I left home.
OH!
It's shallow and superficial.
Oh, please. A lot of people already have the learning they need to do the work of a higher paying job, they go to college to get the degree they need to legitimize that.
I can believe that some people do go to learn, but some also go to get credentialed.
Lauralee, you are too young and know too little to be making these desperate sweeping generalizations, then defending them with your life. I suggest you learn the phrase, "You may be right. I'd like to think about that a while."
I have a problem with it if you think you get to decide the only "right" reason for everyone, rather than accept that free people have many different reasons, and some of them may not be wrong.
Was their sole purpose to find a spouse?
My guess is probably not. They were studying, keeping their grades up, etc., too?
There are other alternatives to Daycare. And children tend to be in school most of the day. I have a sister who is going to be a teacher so that when she does have a family she will be home.
That's why more women go into the teaching profession.
I already addressed your points.
I told you that the #1 reason I am hearing as to why people go to college is to get an education in order to get a GOOD job that pays well.
In fact I addressed it in at least 2 other posts, I believe.
I didn't see anywhere that K2 said they get to decide ANYTHING relating to reasons for everyone.
Oh, please. You are shallow and superficial. Going to college to meet a husband is NOT shallow and superficial. It is a good way to GROW UP, and weed out people you wouldn't want to marry.
Why don't you tell us why YOU are going to college? What is your ambition? Do you have one? If not, why are you there?
I am not being obtuse. You selected a portion of my response to quote and then draw that conclusion - which is dishonest and makes you guilty of the very thing you earlier tried to accuse me of doing.
Oh dear.
Never mind.
Hopeless.
Let me put it this way then. I think spending even $1000 to attend classes, in which you have no interest excelling or even learning, for the purpose of shopping for a spouse or partying after it is over is definitely a waste.
So? I am not arguing against that. Nor is that is not an argument against my assertion that many women do attend college with the goal of finding a suitable husband who will have a GOOD job someday and be able to support a family.
Do you really want to know my plans? I'm shallow and superficial remember?
Would you argue that 51% motivation to study and 49% to get married is ok, but not vice-versa?
As long as they study, I could care less why my students show up.
I even taught college courses in a prison, once - didn't care why they were in, either, as long as they LEARNED.
Yep, shockingly, I think that is the reason colleges actually exist. :-)
This is all so stupid.
Some girls go to college for the education, some go to get out of the house, and some go to find a man. I doubt that finding a man is the primary goal nowadays since we are marrying later in life.
An educated mother is great because she can raise her children successfully. I know that I am very blessed that my mother taught me so many things growing up because she had many various interests and was wise.
Some women get men with their appreciated intelligence. Some get them with their beauty, some with their personality, and then there are the desperate ones who thinks that they will get a good man posting gross half naked pictures of themselves all over the internet.
You're right. I don't want to know.
But as much of a drama queen as you act, I'm betting you'll tell us all.....
I'm leaving this thread. The teenyboppers have taken over.
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