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In fifth grade, my science teacher asked me if I'd copied answers off the boy who sat in front of me, even though my grade average was 20 points higher than his
by nancye 15y ago
In fifth grade, my science teacher asked me if I'd copied answers off the boy who sat in front of me, even though my grade average was 20 points higher than his. In sixth grade, my math teacher was well known to favor the boys in the class and would only call on me if I was the only one with my hand raised. In eighth grade, another teacher chose two boys to represent the school at a math competition even though I had the highest average in the class. All little things, but I still remember them.
In high school, my all-girl team won the state science league twice, and I finished first individually. Did we take pride and inspiration in the fact that we'd beaten all the boys in the state? Absolutely! Were we truly at an advantage when it came to math and science education? I never felt like it, and I knew a lot of bright girls who internalized the "girls aren't supposed to be good at this" message in ways that affected their education and career choices. Sometimes a little girl power is just what helps you to keep going in the face of subtle or overt discouragement from the people around you.
- Helianthus 15y agowhich is all true and good, but doesn't change the fundamental unfairness that it ranges from discouraged to taboo to say something like "Guy power!" or "Yeah, go men!" how many bright men are internalizing messages detrimental to their education and career choices? maybe a little guy power would help them keep going in the face of subtle etc.
- jamesaguilar 15y agohttp://cdn3.knowyourmeme.com/i/000/084/118/original/2u9jxps.jpg?1290452475 http://cdn3.knowyourmeme.com/i/000/084/118/original/2u9jxps....
- Apocryphon 15y agoI don't really think majoritarian pride is as uplifting or fun as pride in achieving well despite being part of a disadvantaged minority. However, we should get rid of majoritarian shame/guilt, of course.
- Helianthus 15y agoI honestly don't see why we don't get rid of this sort of group pride altogether.
- Apocryphon 15y agoWell, when there is greater equality, this sort of group pride would naturally disappear. A small price to pay for getting rid of inequality.
- leilavc 15y agoBut would it be news if three boys had won the science fair? When we get to the day when the fact that 'girls actually can do science!' isn't news - when the name of the headline isn't 'Girls sweep at Google Science Fair' but instead 'Innovative inventions' or something along those lines - then you'd have more of a valid point.
- jackpirate 15y agoI hear arguments like that all the time, and I'm skeptical. It is impossible for you to know how many of those events were because of sexism, or how many were because of general incompetence on the part of your elders. I, as a boy, experienced everything you did, but would never have attributed it to sexism because boys are never taught to do that. I've known brilliant, moderately smart, and downright stupid women. None of the brilliant ones complain about stereotyping. (They may talk about wishing there were more women in their field, but that is different.) These women simply go about being brilliant. It's only the one's who think they are better than they actually are who "get their panties in a bun". This is a convenient scapegoat that unqualified men simply don't have. That said, I hope I'm misinterpreting the tone of your comment. I too would like to encourage more women to be technical. But the way to do that is to focus on the good things, not the drawbacks. Talk about Marie Curie in exactly the same way that you would talk about Einstein. By emphasizing the obstacles she/you had to overcome, you're downplaying her/your actual achievements.
- jackpirate 15y agoTo clarify my point: The way to get more women in technical fields is to highlight their success, not dwell on their obstacles.