5 ms·

Why are we so obsessed with finding genetic reasons to explain thinking differences in gender(or race) when the obvious elephant-in-the-room are social/cultural

by smtddr 13y ago

Why are we so obsessed with finding genetic reasons to explain thinking differences in gender(or race) when the obvious elephant-in-the-room are social/cultural pressures that must have a huge impact? I'd feel better about these studies if they could somehow account for these outside influences. How about the whole idea of "boys will be boys" versus "A lady must be clean & proper". Don't we pretty much enforce responsibility & "proper adult lady" behavior in girls super early? Generally frowned upon when girls use bad language, spit in public, not sit up straight in chairs, etc. We enforce girls to act like proper, well-behaved princesses from day one. We also know that it's much easier for a woman to ruin her lady-like image[0] than for a guy to ruin his. In fact, looking at TVshows like JerseyShore and the whole gangsta-hiphop image... I can't think of any way for a man to ruin his social image short of being accused of child molestation. For boys, it's just "Go wild!" and that attitude seems to carry all the way to college for the most part, hence the whole frat-house start-up culture. The only responsibility that's really drilled into boys growing up is to just avoid doing things that'll land 'em in jail. Any other anti-social behavior(like loud burping in public & having many, many nights with random ladies) is just fine. In fact, being a responsible & well-behaved male adult makes you a wimp it seems! http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/54507/danny-tanner-wtf-o.gif http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/54507/danny-tanner-wtf-o.gif 0. http://www.alternet.org/story/86736/he's_a_stud,_she's_a_slut%3A_the_sexual_double_standard http://www.alternet.org/story/86736/he's_a_stud,_she's_a_slu... Girls typical toys: http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.dailydawdle.com/images.dailydawdle.com/horribly-depressing-wtf-sexist-girls-toys-fail2.jpg.pagespeed.ce.dHneSXUbXG.jpg http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.dailydawdle.com/imag... http://genderfatigue.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/girls_toy_ironing_board_set.jpg http://genderfatigue.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/girls_toy_i... http://www.stylishtrendy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/top-ten-girls-toys-for-2012_2.jpg http://www.stylishtrendy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/top-... http://www.novanatural.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/4/8/4805-sweet-baby-doll.jpg http://www.novanatural.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/ima... Boys typical toys: http://cf067b.medialib.glogster.com/media/5e/5e59e3fc4e4be00b7415e9f94a7863acba5d7a632781c7583c07a635c3d612a4/toys-for-boys.jpg http://cf067b.medialib.glogster.com/media/5e/5e59e3fc4e4be00... http://themamareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/transformers-action-figures.jpg http://themamareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/transfor... http://www.mommyq.com/wp-content/uploads/Track.jpg http://www.mommyq.com/wp-content/uploads/Track.jpg (Also, LOL @ the photoshopped-in black boy for diversity.)

newnewnew 13y ago
> "Why are we so obsessed with finding genetic reasons to explain thinking differences in gender(or race) when there are obvious social/cultural pressures?" Isn't that another way of saying "Why do people care about science, when its findings might make us uncomfortable? And besides, my ideology already tells me how the world works."
- smtddr 13y ago
  I knew you'd comment on this. You seem to show up on all stories about gender & race differences. Anyways, note the part where I say "I'd feel better about these studies if they could somehow account for these outside influences." Without accounting for those factors, these studies are at best 50/50. EDIT: I also knew the downvote-brigade would be right there with you to destroy my reply the moment I submitted it. 3 downvotes in 10 seconds.
  - oddx 13y ago
    > downvote Maybe it because you become personal instead of bringing arguments?
    - yetanotherphd 13y ago
      This. It creates a very unpleasant atmosphere when you comment on someone's posting history in a negative way, which is not relevant to the topic. We should be able to debate a topic without bringing in other people's motivations or character.
  - newnewnew 13y ago
    I didn't downvote you.
- logjam 13y ago
  Oh my. Project much? Your attempt to rephrase his question to try to suit a silly ideology has nothing to do with "science", is merely your own appeal to emotion, and isn't doing a thing to advance the discussion, moldburg. Now, do you have anything at all cogent to say about the obvious cultural and economic forces that create differences?

by smtddr 13y ago

newnewnew 13y ago

> "Why are we so obsessed with finding genetic reasons to explain thinking differences in gender(or race) when there are obvious social/cultural pressures?" Isn't that another way of saying "Why do people care about science, when its findings might make us uncomfortable? And besides, my ideology already tells me how the world works."

smtddr 13y ago
I knew you'd comment on this. You seem to show up on all stories about gender & race differences. Anyways, note the part where I say "I'd feel better about these studies if they could somehow account for these outside influences." Without accounting for those factors, these studies are at best 50/50. EDIT: I also knew the downvote-brigade would be right there with you to destroy my reply the moment I submitted it. 3 downvotes in 10 seconds.
- oddx 13y ago
  > downvote Maybe it because you become personal instead of bringing arguments?
  - yetanotherphd 13y ago
    This. It creates a very unpleasant atmosphere when you comment on someone's posting history in a negative way, which is not relevant to the topic. We should be able to debate a topic without bringing in other people's motivations or character.
- newnewnew 13y ago
  I didn't downvote you.
logjam 13y ago
Oh my. Project much? Your attempt to rephrase his question to try to suit a silly ideology has nothing to do with "science", is merely your own appeal to emotion, and isn't doing a thing to advance the discussion, moldburg. Now, do you have anything at all cogent to say about the obvious cultural and economic forces that create differences?