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 ...
Side note: You might want to avoid the all-married-women-should-have-babies-because-they-have-the-right-equipment-for-it threads that pop up occasionally. :-)
Ducking and running....as fast as my short little legs will go!
Did you stomp your foot when you posted that? :o)
~oh vey. :o)
{~STOP it right NOW!! You're killing me! {g} }
"Pity the poor schmuck that gets involved with her..."
Whoa there partner, y'know my K was a flaming Liberal-feminist when I met her, don't you?
Although that was then & this is now, *look* what I sculpted of that magnificent woman. Thankye-thankye. ;^)
I mean just where'd I'd be today.
...had I given up on the girl? {g}
We both know she'd kick your @#%&*@#% into next week if she caught you saying that . . . ;0)
I agree, that judgment is amazing and sad. Congratulation to you and your success! I have a friend who has the similar situation. She has to put up with that as well. Just goes to show you, everyone's circumstance is different. Everyone wants something different from their life. The one choice is not wrong and neither is the other choice. It's the judgment of some that is wrong.
Yes, I can.
I have a collection.
Lucky - I also have thick skin - and a long memory.
Listen, if you don't believe me - that's fine.
I have better things to do than to dig up this proof to you. What I can do - is next time I get a comment like that - I'll ping you!
How does that sound?
Dumb, whiney bimbo.
Yes, I doubt that Conservatives Harass you or say anything mean to you at all about you choosing to be childless and follow your career.
Your comments on this thread about your treatment by conservatives as a whole, are not honest.
I've had run ins with you before and prefer not to play your game.
bye.
Suit yourself- it is a Free Republic after all.
LOL
You saw that, huh!
700
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