4 ms·

Yes, based on stereotypes and blatant assumptions. Do you really think a significant portion of people in this world make a conscious choice to survive on child

Yes, based on stereotypes and blatant assumptions. Do you really think a significant portion of people in this world make a conscious choice to survive on child support rather than following an interesting career? He's talking about the CHOICE of whether to enter a STEM career as a woman. I faced that choice just as any other woman did, and believe me that most of the purported reasons mentioned in that article weren't part of the equation at all. Regardless, the fact that I'm in computer science doesn't make the author any more qualified to talk about women's experiences and motivations.

facepalm 12y ago
Is it offensive to assume somebody is acting rationally? Some would consider the opposite offensive (and thereby the author also offends men in his article). I think the "planned alimony" accusation is offensive, but it should be easy to check (statistics on women living off alimony and their average income). I'm sure some women plan that way, but they might not be a significant fraction. I still remember reading advice on how to best become an "alimony mother" in a popular women's magazine (allegedly pick a married man, he can't afford a big fuss and will silently pay up). Not sure if it was meant as satire, but the idea has certainly crossed women's minds. I also know women who planned to become single moms from the start. However, if you include the classic plan to become a stay at home mother, I'm sure a lot of women plan that way. For sure women take into account family friendliness when planning their career. Also, you seem to assume that being a mother is not interesting. I think you being in Computer Science might not have any bearings on the authors qualifications at all.
- cauterized 12y ago
  Right, my being in computer science has no bearing on the author's fitness to speak about other people's experiences and motivations. That he does so based on pop psychology, stereotype, and traditional gender roles rather than based on personal experience as a woman or far better, data about the personal experiences of a large random sample of women is what makes it offensive.
- dragonwriter 12y ago
  > Is it offensive to assume somebody is acting rationally? Insofar as that involves making offensive assumptions about values by assuming that the (always flawed) perfect knowledge of future utilities aspect of the rational choice model is fulfilled, yes.
- ArmchairEcon 12y ago
  That section of the article is not about "alimony" (may require years of marriage to obtain) but about "child support" (requires one night of work to obtain).
  - Fomite 12y ago
    One night, nine months, and a potentially fatal medical condition.

facepalm 12y ago

Is it offensive to assume somebody is acting rationally? Some would consider the opposite offensive (and thereby the author also offends men in his article). I think the "planned alimony" accusation is offensive, but it should be easy to check (statistics on women living off alimony and their average income). I'm sure some women plan that way, but they might not be a significant fraction. I still remember reading advice on how to best become an "alimony mother" in a popular women's magazine (allegedly pick a married man, he can't afford a big fuss and will silently pay up). Not sure if it was meant as satire, but the idea has certainly crossed women's minds. I also know women who planned to become single moms from the start. However, if you include the classic plan to become a stay at home mother, I'm sure a lot of women plan that way. For sure women take into account family friendliness when planning their career. Also, you seem to assume that being a mother is not interesting. I think you being in Computer Science might not have any bearings on the authors qualifications at all.

cauterized 12y ago
Right, my being in computer science has no bearing on the author's fitness to speak about other people's experiences and motivations. That he does so based on pop psychology, stereotype, and traditional gender roles rather than based on personal experience as a woman or far better, data about the personal experiences of a large random sample of women is what makes it offensive.
dragonwriter 12y ago
> Is it offensive to assume somebody is acting rationally? Insofar as that involves making offensive assumptions about values by assuming that the (always flawed) perfect knowledge of future utilities aspect of the rational choice model is fulfilled, yes.
ArmchairEcon 12y ago
That section of the article is not about "alimony" (may require years of marriage to obtain) but about "child support" (requires one night of work to obtain).
- Fomite 12y ago
  One night, nine months, and a potentially fatal medical condition.