When Are You Guys Going to Get It?

LA Times ^ | February 13, 2005 | Deborah Blum

[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....

[GodBlessUSA]

I found it insulting too. My earlier post was about my mother meeting my father in college. I think it wasn't so much the issue, it was how it was being negatively portraited and judged. I think it's positive too go to college to improve yourself and meet good people.

You are a good Freeper Judith Anne!

I have to go now. I have to go ice a birthday cake. You know that mundane housewife thing. Since I married before finishing my college education that is what I learned to do "walking down the aisle"(as posted by a poster earlier.

[gogeo]

I don't even think it's a matter of superiority or intelligence. It boils down to interests.

DING! DING! DING!

[followerofchrist]

"Actually in Russia- I don't know about all of the former Soviet states-

In Russia Men are very sexist."

Sexist or tradtional? The status of women direcly correlates to the economic situation of any nation.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Also depending on how many children a woman has, she may want to go back to work when the children are older, or wait until they are in college. Or she may choose to work part time while the children are in school. My sister is going into the teaching profession so that when she does have children she will able to come home around the time they come home from school.

Stay at home mothers keep the community running. Your friend's law degree is such an asset. With all the litigation and frivolous lawsuits, she is the type of person people need on a committee.

[gogeo]

I know of no woman who has sought a higher education to get a man.

ROFL...you heard about the movie critic for the NY Times who couldn't believe Nixon won?

At BYU, they call it the MRS degree.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Well, finding a husband or a wife is an important life goal for everyone. It just isn't a reason to go to college.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I never went to college,but I agree with you.
BTW,the same thing could be said about any school for that matter.
Our kids go to school to get an education,but at the same time they get to socialize with their peers.
So,I ask you what is the difference between college and lets say High school?
IMO.socializing with your peers is just as important than learning school subjects.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Your right, women are wired to multitask. I recently did research on the differences between men and women for a class.

I don't understand how some people take issue with the truth. No one cries discrimination because there are more women in the teaching profession.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Also if the purpose of college was just to nab a husband, you would see more women being clever about it and applying to engineering school or some other male dominated field. Female same sex colleges would not exist.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I have to agree with you on that.

[506trooper]

I'm good, had to go out of town for a while on business, and broke my laptop the first day and couldn't post...took a while to get caught up, and have been real busy since I got back. Barely able to hit the board except to read the news.

[Lurking2Long]

Your right, women are wired to multitask.

You just shot yourself in the foot...people who are busy "multitasking" lack the capacity for the focused kind of thought required to invent.

[gogeo]

Traditional homemakers should not be of inferior intellect. What I am saying is, just because they do not have a career does not mean they should not have had that education. Education is important for everyone.

Honey, you're arguing with yourself...why not come back in ten years, when you have some life experience to provide context, and then we'll talk...

[LauraleeBraswell]

Have you been reading my posts or not? I've said this a million times.

I said men and women are different. Women see more shades of red than men, and are more detail oriented, and yet some of the best fashion designers we have are men.

I said men and women are different.

And no, women don't go to college to find husbands.

[LauraleeBraswell]

No, I said that all along this whole thread. Education is not wasted on the homemaker.

[Torties]

Well.....it isn't an 'important life goal' to 'everyone' to find a husband/wife ......but, I agree that it shouldn't be a reason to go to college.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Where did I contradict myself. Please point out the post.

[Lurking2Long]

Gogeo is right...come back in ten (I say twenty) years when you have some life experience...

[LauraleeBraswell]

I took a different position on stay at home mothers on another thread. But you and others were successful in providing an argument that allowed me to reevaluate my stance.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Come back when your oldest is in college.