Posted on 09/15/2011 8:54:32 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A study found that when it comes to career choices, men prefer things and women prefer people.
If you thought it was sexist to assume that girls aren't good at science, maybe you should think again (though stereotypes are dangerous and there are certainly many, many exceptions).
A recent study in the journal Hormones and Behavior found that genetics play a key role in the career choices we make. In short, men become astronauts and women prefer nursing because of our biological nature, not environmental factors.
In our society, males are more likely to work in fields dealing with "things" like science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); whereas women lead the ranks in creative careers and those based on serving people. That's just the way things are — but is it based on sexism, which is a social construct, or is there a biological reason? Women Are Choosing Love Over Math & Science Careers
A team from Penn State University studied teenagers and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) — a genetic condition — and their siblings without the condition. While in the uterus, those with CAH have more exposure to the male sex hormone called androgen than is normal. Females with CAH are genetically female, but their interests tend to be more "trucks" than "Barbie." So when it comes to choosing a career, these women prefer jobs related to "things" rather than "people," as opposed to most females. Win $550 Worth Of Luxury Goods From Henri Bendel!
"We found there is a biological influence on that interest toward things, so maybe women aren't going into STEM careers because what they're interested in—people—isn't consistent with an interest in STEM careers," researchers said. "Maybe we could show females ways in which an interest in people is compatible with STEM careers."
Other research shows that women, on an unconscious level, steer away from STEM careers because they think it will make them unattractive to men. So which one is it: Genetics or environmental conditioning?
Do you think it's important to encourage more girls to go into the sciences? How do you and your partner differ on career preferences?
Total Garbage. I am Post Graduate in Mathematics, came 2nd in University in Mathematics.
Grammar was difficult for me , Mathematics was just fun.
Gee—I always thought geometry was the jumping off point for the rest of mathematics.
Oh, wow. Let me catch my breath!
Right on, right on, right on.
People become what they are taught to admire. The Romans did not have a problem with strong, logical women.
But a generalization doesn’t prove anything.
Every advancement in mathematics was preceded by generalized ignorance.
On the other hand, the generalization that women are superior is indeed a fact of life.
Actually did very well in math and sciences and majored in arts - architecturally related - thankful for the good PUBLIC education we were blessed with in post 1970’s USA.
While nursing in times past used to be a people person job, times have changed. Nursing is now science and math based job with human psychology thrown in for good measure.
Rabble rouser :p
And indebt look at the indisputable differences between Men’s Brains and Women’s Brains.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BxckAMaTDc
Guess I’m not a woman (don’t tell FrogDad!), I excelled at and love both math and science.
What annoys me is when people think that what *typically* is the case must therefore *always* be the case — or something is wrong. Okay, okay, maybe a majority of women are not super-keen on math. That doesn’t mean *all* of them are that way. My SIL teaches rocket science at a well-known university, and to the best of my knowledge she is not afflicted with any condition where she was exposed to too much testosterone in the womb. She simply likes math. And building rockets. And she’s good at both of them.
[ Are Women Genetically Wired To Dislike Math & Science? ]
Some may be.. as well as some men..
By Jessica Cruel? LOL. The president of Harvard is forced to resign for pointing out this same discrepency. But Jessica Cruel can address it - as long as she puts you on sharp notice that extreme limits are to be observed.
Feminist totalitarianism - don't try this at home, folks, these are professionals!
The boys are drugged.
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