Ayyy! YOU GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN AND BAKE ME A PIE!
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?
Face palm. Not this again. My father was an electrical engineer and seemed to feel he had to beat math into his 4 daughter’s heads. He left me absolutely traumatized after so many sessions at the kitchen table with me sobbing. He couldn’t teach his way out of a wet paper bag. I finally learned to love math when it was put in the framework of a puzzle. I love puzzles. Somehow, 2 of my sisters ended up becoming engineers anyway. I became a “stereotypical” nurse (lol) working in newborn ICU, knowing how to program every piece of high tech equipment and disable every alarm permanently. Not exactly like programing a vcr. I also had to preform life saving med calculations in my head. A female, math major relative was told by a major university that they’d never let her get her Ph.D. because she was a woman. True story.
Now, as for my daughter- she’s 16, a sophomore at the local university, taking math this semester. Her professor didn’t know the name of the “brackets.” She was proud to inform him they were curly braces.
I can see only one reason women are ‘crap’ at math- it’s been a bastion of men and it hasn’t been taught in a way women can understand. It’s not that difficult- Filenes is having a 50% off sale. You have a coupon for 10% off that can be doubled..... You have a recipe for Death by Chocolate. It’s for 6. You only want one serving.... Common sense, people!
I'm trying to relearn algebra, too. Can't believe how much I forgot. Have you tried KhanAcademy.org? Thousands of free video lessons including 50 or so for pre-Algebra and Algebra.
I've found them to be quite good.
This sounds like one of the examples covered in the book Women Becoming Mathematicians: Creating a Professional Identity in Post-WWII America by Margaret Murray.
Now, as for my daughter- she’s 16, a sophomore at the local university, taking math this semester. Her professor didn’t know the name of the “brackets.” She was proud to inform him they were curly braces.
Ah, that's also something a programmer would have been taught: those curly braces are ignored at one's peril!
I can see only one reason women are ‘crap’ at math- it’s been a bastion of men and it hasn’t been taught in a way women can understand. It’s not that difficult- Filenes is having a 50% off sale. You have a coupon for 10% off that can be doubled..... You have a recipe for Death by Chocolate. It’s for 6. You only want one serving.... Common sense, people!
I think that could be broken down into two separate problems: the context of feminine interests, and the context of encountering a real-life application for a problem. Danica McKellar has produced a number of math books aimed at piquing the interests of the young female student--and I say that's wonderful.
Great thread, wish I could post more, but I have to go to bed now.
I have to second khanacademy.org What an amazing website!
Actually, lately I see a large number of females excelling at math and related subjects.
And I see a large number of guys being all feely-touchy.
...”I chalk this up to single mothers bringing up their girls to compete. And bringing up their sons to be more “in touch with their feelings.”
Not in all cases, of course. Just based on personal observation”...
We have yet to see how a switch in gender roles, brought about, I believe, through political correctness, rather than personal preference, in most cases, will effect our society. I have been in a work situation with 17 men for the past 14 years..I am the only woman. These are accomplished and very kind gentlemen..salt of the earth types..However, the difference in our thinking is very obvious, though I am good in science and math..The other thing is that I could never compete with the men in my group who are good in science and math and, for me, that is the issue..Our world needs to find the best in any field and to showcase those people, whether they be men or women. And, that choice should not be based on our society’s politically correct view of gender neutrality where men and women are the same. God set up nature to meet all the parts of human existence and when we deliberately refuse to recognize the obvious differences between the hormonal influences of men and women, we write our own epitaph.
Nursing isn’t based on science? Ha! Go out and get a BS in nursing and see what I mean.
Just TRY to get into a BS Nursing program in New England. They are pretty selective n
I hear you. There is a two year waiting list at my local college.
Ayyy! YOU GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN AND BAKE ME A PIE!
My two daughters aren't! Both earned B.S. degrees in mathematics by the age of 18. Was teaching college level math as part of her masters program. She earned a masters degree in math by 20.
But,....They were homeschooled.
I had a young friend when I lived in Valdez, a pretty Coast Guard wife. She was taking Calculus at the community college “for fun!” LOL! I’ve seen lots of women who were more than adept at all branches of math. I think that’s one of the reasons I decided to give it another try. I am enjoying the effort, and I can almost feel my brain growing. LOL!
LOL! Yah, my friend's daughter is a little bit of a thing, but started taking high school level algebra in the sixth grade. She loves it, and maintains the highest grades in the advanced class.
Here’s my anecdote. I have two daughters 3 years apart. Both raised in the same way, both went to the same schools, had the same teachers and couldn’t be more different. The older one hates math and science, the younger loves it. The older is a studio art major who wants to teach college, the younger is a biochem/classics double major who is interviewing for medical schools.
Nature vs nurture? It’s a toss up in my house.
My engineer dad used to get so upset that I wasn’t intuitive at math. He’d rap us on the head if we did a problem wrong. I’ve never gotten over it.
Today, I work in a classroom and still struggle with math. It just won’t stay in my long-term memory. I relearn it every year. Some math teachers I work with are pretty arrogant about their gift and roll their eyes when I ask them a question.
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