Why women are crap at maths and science. Or not.

[odycee]

Harvard president claims that women and science don't mix.

"Larry Summers, the outspoken president of Harvard University, has stirred up controversy by suggesting there are innate differences between the sexes that prevent more women from rising to the top in science and mathematics."

"Dr Summers, whose tenure at Harvard has been marked by controversy, including clashes with African-American staff and complaints about the lack of women being hired, made a three-hour speech in which he said one reason for the shortage of women in senior posts were to do with the reluctance of women to work long hours because of their child-minding responsibilities.

He then argued that boys outperform girls on maths and science due to genetic difference rather than socialisation. He gave the conference an example from his own experience: a story of giving his daughter two trucks, which she treated like dolls, calling them mummy and daddy trucks."

"During Dr Summers' time as president the number of tenured jobs offered to women has fallen sharply and last year only four of 32 tenured jobs were offered to women candidates."

o_0 Um... ok then. So why exactly does he think that less women are getting to the top? Because of innate genetic differences? Because of child-care issues? Or because he's a fuckwit?

Comments

[fourleftxaviers.livejournal.com]

How depressing.

Well, I'm glad I didn't go to Harvard now. Heeee.

[odycee.livejournal.com]

Very depressing. Somehow, I don't expect to hear that people still think like that so I spend a lot of my time being disappointed.

It's a good excuse isn't it - I didn't go to Harvard in protest against it's president. Heh.