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....

[reg45]

As my old pappy used to say:

Women don't need to be good with figures as long as they have good figures.

[Dianna]

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.

Dear heart, that degree is keeping her from being where she wants most to be. That is at home with her children. Being "on a committee" just doesn't compare, does it?

I went back to school when my youngest was 4 years old. I graduate next year and my children will be 7 and 13 years old. I have enough time to work and have a career now.

I just hate to see women get persuaded into planning for a high stakes career only to find out they'd really rather be home raising their children.

[neverdem]

How did you find this thread? I would have thought it would have been dead a whlie ago and lost in cyberspace.

[Dianna]

You probably wouldn't be sending them to Harvard to become teachers, either.

Very true! LOL! Really, it sounds very backward to state outright that I would hesitate more before sending a daughter to an expensive school than a son. But I would.

If I had a daughter who wanted to be a business woman and didn't plan to have children, I would be happy to send her off to Harvard (if I could afford it!). But if she knew she really wanted dinner with her family every night and to be at every baseball game, then I just wouldn't spend the money.

[LauraleeBraswell]

""In Russia Men are very sexist."

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

Russian men are known for being abusive to their women. Look it up, google it. More chauvinistic.
Why do you think there are so many Russian mail order brides?

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**700**

Wow...do you get a toaster for hitting 700? :o)

[506trooper]

Naw, this is one of those threads that just seems to call for a tongue in cheek post.

Mars vs. Venus threads get tempers up and solves nothing, but are an interesting read.

This one lived far longer than I thought it would, so I was paying homage to the age of this puppy

[mrs tiggywinkle]

I remember one freeper who would ask for medical advice for embarrassing ailments or creamed spinach recipes, on threads like this. lol.

Your option is tame in comparison.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

er...not medical advice *for* creamed spinach recipes...but recipes for creamed spinach. sigh...it's late.

[Landru]

"We both know she'd kick your @#%&*@#% into next week if she caught you saying that... ;0)"

HA!!
Well next time ask her about this *yourself* if you think I'm bloviating. {~I'd think you'd know me better by now, I don't "exaggerate" such things.}

Truth is there's absolutely nothing more "liberating" than breaking the HELL away from the Liberal-Socialist shtick, to which [today's] "feminism" is a part.

And so you see she has me to thank for her *liberation*.

I did it for one reason, & one reason only.

...'cuz I love 'er to pieces. ;^)

[followerofchrist]

"Russian men are known for being abusive to their women. Look it up, google it. More chauvinistic.
Why do you think there are so many Russian mail order brides?"

Because men who want a woman who can't speak English and will be "submissive" demonize Russian men so they can justify grabbing the booty (women) from Russia. Lets talk about the kind of men who bring over Russian women they do not know. Those who peddle Russian women on the net tend to demonize and stereotype American women as well.

[Les_Miserables]

Just to beat a dead horse..
we all should read this article and
get a grip.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050228/D88HGR6G0.html

[JustCallMeGorilla]

for pete's sake, never mind what Dr. Summers said. whether that quote was out of context or not, the fact is that women have always been and are STILL demoted by men.