Monday, September 26, 2005

Good girls don't do math

I have been thinking a lot about the difference between men and women lately. Between boys and girls. I remember in grade school that "girls are good at English, boys are good at math and science." And there was sex discrimination on both sides of the equation. I mean, just because I have a vagina, does that mean I will be good at English. My vagina is not writing the essays (and now guys are envisioning a vagina with a pen sticking out from it; sorry for that image). And similarly, just because I have a figure, does that mean I can't figure (e.g., do math). Granted, I did not really get a figure until seventh grade, but still. Guys sort of got the short end of the stick on this one – English always seemed so subjective with essays and all. Math – either you got the right answer or you didn't.

And getting a "C" in a math or science class was okay if you were a girl. A boy – holy crap, get the parents in here or put them in the "dumb-dumb" class. And if a boy did well in English – he either was gay or a sissy. I can remember guys high-fiving over Cs and Ds in English.

I have heard that for years, girls have been catching up in school. Well, not girls (and women) have leap-frogged the guys. More women are in college, get degrees, and still get 78 cents for every dollar men make. Crap, what did I just write? Women are succeeding more than ever but not getting paid for it.

Random thoughts for a random Monday. Hope Hurricane Rita didn't bite you on your arse!

4 comments:

kathi said...

...and the times, they are a changing...

mfophotos said...

I think its all with the expectations of the social/economic climate. There is no doubt that anyone expected to achive at a lesser level will do so, except in those historically rare cases where women were brought up in unusual circumstances or afforded unusual access to higher education. That of course, goes round to our present situation in todays schools. I believe all children should be expected to achieve and be responsible. I do not believe there are any racial or sexual differences in abilities to learn, but everyone is not always good at exactly the same thing. That's why we have artists, musicians, math teachers, lawyers, mechanics, and physicists.
As for women and math... my daughter and my wife are both much better at it than me.

Ddot the King said...

Hmmm..I had never thought about any of this but I guess it sorta rings true. Interesting Leesa....

facade said...

rita did leave me without power for the weekend. enjoyed the stripping away of all interruptions that would fight for my attention.....great fun and pleasure with my gf robyn....i see it everyday, in education, in business, in many facets of life...women are not paid the same..WRONG.....the one glowing area of equal pay is in sales.....we have come far in this society, yet those of us who see injustice and abuse need to be vocal.....take a stand somewhere..choose your front to engage......THRILLED to be home and have electricity!!!!!!!!