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 ...
ping...
"They may be stupid, but they sure are fun."
Lawrence H. Summers offered a theory to explain why there were not more women in the math and science fields and that was that there might be innate differences.
This woman is an idiot.
(Flame away!)
Was this the source for that famous line in
Hitchcock's THE BIRDS? "As a specie, their brain
pans are too small!"
Oh when are the MSM going to get off this topic? Sheesh! I guess it's not over until the man resigns. I'm disgusted.
Oh how I wish my exwife had an FR account so I could ping her to that!
""And I wonder why we women are so willing to tolerate this kind of behavior.""
Does she think she can speak on behalf of every woman everywhere? Who is WE?
Amen sister!
I'm gonna show this to Mrs. Slim as soon as I change the combo on the gun safe.
Article Snippet: "Hold for a minute — OK — while I dig out my corset and bustle."
A good diet and exercise will work better than a corset and bustle. Thank God for common sense [insert note here: I'm not a "Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer."].
An entire rant based on a misquote?
Never Mind!
Feminists seem to lack good humor more than they lack the ability to do high-level math.
Uh, you get it ok? And bring me a beer while your up babe.
You didn't get the memo, obviously. This is because the women were and still are OPPRESSED by the men
Insisting that men and women are exactly the same defies everyday observation. Each sex has their strengths.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.