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Speaking as an (amateur) archeologist, weaving and textiles are traditionally female jobs in most societies because it requires fine work by small, dexterous ha
by garmaine 6y ago
Speaking as an (amateur) archeologist, weaving and textiles are traditionally female jobs in most societies because it requires fine work by small, dexterous hands. I'd say a connection to child-rearing is reaching beyond the obvious.
- thrwaway69 6y agoMen can't have small dexterous soft hands?
- mbrameld 6y agoOnly in the same way that women can't have beards.
- anthk 6y agoAnd the same way men can't be pianists. Oh, wait...
- adrianN 6y agoIn the same way that some women can be stronger than average men, but female soldiers are very rare historically.
- watwut 6y agoThat is why males cant play in orchestras ... male hands being bigger and stronger does not imply them having less dexterity
- sanj 6y agoI’d say that suggesting Barber is “reaching beyond the obvious.” is a wonderful example of Dunning-Kruger. It is breathtaking that you’re willing to write off the work of a brilliant expert. “Professor emerita of archaeology and linguistics at Occidental College”
- fallingfrog 6y agoAs a stay at home dad, I’d say that Barber’s thesis sounds very plausible to me.
- fallingfrog 6y agoAs the thickness of a persons fingers depends a lot on how much hard labor one has done with them (compare Alex honnold’s hands with Donald trump’s) I think you have cause and effect mostly reversed.
- 4ndr3vv 6y agoPerhaps GPs use of of the term "occupation" skewed this but I dont think we're talking about weaving and textile _Jobs_ here, but rather traditional craftwork eg embroidery, patchwork, quilting, knitting, smocking etc. Women have always run the household and as GP mentioned these activities can be picked up and put down as time allows. With very small children especially, this time is often vary rare to find..!
- watwut 6y agoYou however don't know much about weaving, textiles and handiwork in general. While they require dexterity, they dont require small hands. And traditionally male handiwork quite often requires dexterity too. The fine motor skills in boys develop few months later on average, but they grow up skilled just fine.