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To: AMDG&BVMH
"E.G. Math. Well, girls supposedly aren't as good as boys at "traditional" math. [Which as having a BS Mathematics, I find very strange to begin with.] So we "find" a kind of math that "equalizes" -- or better, empowers little girls, since they are "disadvantaged" by traditional math. This makes use of their strength of intuitive thinking. There is no longer an exact, "right" answer to a math problem. You take in all the information, and use your intuition to explain what you "feel" the answer is or should be."

Well, I have this theory that human males have somewhat of a "hard-wired" ability with math from natural selection over thousands of years of using missile weapons (i.e. he who can predict the trajectory of his rock stands the most chance of getting food--and/or of not BEING food!). This is NOT to say that ladies can't also do well at math--just that it comes a bit easier for males.

In a similar vein, I think human females have a similar "hard-wired" superiority with language, as superior communication capacity better enabled them to keep better control of their infant charges, and communicate to other gatherers where to find the local spinach patch. Again, obviously, men can learn to use language effectively--it just comes a bit easier for women.

Sexist remarks aside :), I am not terrifically comfortable with the idea of driving over bridges, riding in airplanes, or working in buildings whose designs were based on "intuitively-derived" mathematics. "Fuzzy math" is the most ridiculous notion yet to come out of the "professional educators" pipeline.

19 posted on 01/23/2002 7:26:51 AM PST by Wonder Warthog
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To: Wonder Warthog
Re: men, trajectories; women, languages

I won't dispute this as a premise. However, girls are capable of mastering at least standard arithmetic (the disparaged long division, multiplication tables, etc.) geometry, and algebra, and should be required to do so. There is no reason to invent a dummied-down fuzzy intuitive math to enhance their self-esteem or supposed access to power. Similarly, boys should take Engligh, foreign language, and read the classics . . . Everyone needs the basics. Math is also important in the development of logical thinking. If women (and men!) want to vote, they need to learn how to think logically, IMHO.

The feminists tho don't seem to realize that it is not a problem that people have different strengths; let's cooperate using everyone's strengths, not level-down to everyone's weaknesses.

Personally, I think everyone also should take logic, calculus, and probability/statistics. ;)

31 posted on 01/23/2002 9:16:41 AM PST by AMDG&BVMH
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