27 July 2008
Women Add up in Education
Harvard always ranks at the top for educational standards as a beacon that other universities look towards as a model. Ironically, the president has not always been so forward thinking, apparently three years ago Lawrence Summers the Harvard president made a comment about girls' "intrinsic aptitude" for math and the sciences. This article discusses how this stereotype has no backing. I did think it was interesting how there was a Barbie that said "math class is tough," I wonder if this toy had any psychological impacts on the little girls that played with this doll? Do you think that they could have been preconditioned to believe that they would struggle with the class? Overall, how do opinions of well respected men such as Summers shape girls expectations and performance? As well as other people's outlook? Now, I think we can expect to read an article that girls don't have any genetic advantage over males in the English and literature section. I enjoyed reading this article as I am more gifted in the math/sciences and my brother in English and that type, teachers have always commented to my mom about this.
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2 comments:
My God, there was Barbie that said, “Math class is tough.” Well, in my personal experience, I know a lot of girls who are way better in mathematics than a lot guys. I’m particularly terrible at math and half-way decent in English. But, I think that there is a give and take when it comes to girls being preconditioned to struggle with math class. I know some girls that were raised to excel at math, and others who believed that math was not their thing. What it boils down to, I think that some people are better than others at mathematics. …Also, I thought it was interesting that there are more girls going to college than guys. That shows you something right there.
I agree with Brad. That is just absurd that they would make Barbies like that. I am surprised such an issue wasn't raised earlier. I am with you Beth, I wonder how it affected the minds of the little girls. Well being Indian, there is this stereotype that I had to fill about being the best in science and math. Luckily, I did not have much problem with that. But, when I moved to the U.S., there was a lot of attention paid on my English and I have grown to love it now.
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