Because I was born with a condition that left scars on my face, I never identified with the norm for women to be beautiful. Growing up I purposely chose books where boys used their brains (there weren't many books where girls used their brains) to solve problems. I hated books for girls because everything was about their appearance and behaving like a girl. My brother got more praise and encouragement by my mother for his performance in school ( she thought he needed it more; he believed that boys weren't supposed to be good in school), but it led me to doubt my intellectual abilities. In the end, though, I graduated at the top of my high school class, went to a womens college (so there wouldn't be any men talking down to me) and became a physician.
I think all the cultural pressure on girls to be attractive sex objects for the service of men is horrible. The best thing we've done for our son is to turn off the TV and keep it off. We talk about science with him and he loves science. We talked about and read books with him, so he loves reading. He is thoughtful and respectful and he is delighted that his girlfriend is the smartest student in his school.
This isn't about victimization. This is about internalizing all the lessons that television and other media, parents, siblings, classmates and teachers inadvertently teach, and how it takes intent and determination on the part of parents to overcome those lessons.
I think all the cultural pressure on girls to be attractive sex objects for the service of men is horrible. The best thing we've done for our son is to turn off the TV and keep it off. We talk about science with him and he loves science. We talked about and read books with him, so he loves reading. He is thoughtful and respectful and he is delighted that his girlfriend is the smartest student in his school.
This isn't about victimization. This is about internalizing all the lessons that television and other media, parents, siblings, classmates and teachers inadvertently teach, and how it takes intent and determination on the part of parents to overcome those lessons.
75
I agree about TV. Sometimes when I watch certain commercials I think I am back in the 1950's. I can't believe that I am still seeing all those house cleaning ads that target women (I can think of lots of other examples of the "sorting" referred to in this article). At my age it doesn't matter so much but seeing this when you are young and impressionable is sure to have an impact.
3
There's more to it than just what's here though. Think of how it feels to be told to "act like a lady" or "behave yourself" when you want to run, play in the sandbox, help build mud canals during recess. Imagine the frustration when you have repeatedly asked to learn how run the movie projector (I'm dating myself but still...) and see younger boys shown but you aren't. Think of what goes through a girl's mind when she's told it's unfair for her to be smart and athletic, or that she can't have a family and be a doctor, or that it's her fault if someone molests her (after she reports it).
Think of how it feels as a young woman to be told it's your fault if you're raped on a date because you had a drink. Think of how it feels if it's your fault because you walked home alone (where it was safe). Think of how it feels as a young girl to hear an older, successful woman referred to as ugly, on the rag, "witchy", unstable, too angry, etc. That's what many of today's middle aged women heard and what many younger women still hear, and what girls pick up on.
We're penalized for our ambitions, wanting to succeed, wanting to change the world no matter how we go about it. If we take time off from work to raise a family we're not ambitious enough. If we don't and leave the children to work, we're selfish. If we're poor we're shiftless and lazy if we don't work but if we do and the children get into trouble, it's our fault. Women and girls can't win.
Think of how it feels as a young woman to be told it's your fault if you're raped on a date because you had a drink. Think of how it feels if it's your fault because you walked home alone (where it was safe). Think of how it feels as a young girl to hear an older, successful woman referred to as ugly, on the rag, "witchy", unstable, too angry, etc. That's what many of today's middle aged women heard and what many younger women still hear, and what girls pick up on.
We're penalized for our ambitions, wanting to succeed, wanting to change the world no matter how we go about it. If we take time off from work to raise a family we're not ambitious enough. If we don't and leave the children to work, we're selfish. If we're poor we're shiftless and lazy if we don't work but if we do and the children get into trouble, it's our fault. Women and girls can't win.
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And both men and some women perpetuate this nonsense.
6
So true! I got "in trouble" in college once for challenging one of my engineering professors in class. I was angry at the time because of an arbitrary grading system my professor employed and, admittedly undiplomatic. His response was to "see me after class to discuss the issue." I could have left class with the throng of other students, but didn't want my professor to think I was intimidated by him. I believe he was somewhat baffled that I'd stuck around to talk with him, as he really had nothing to say to me. So he took me down the hall to the office of the department head. Once there, my professor didn't provide the specifics of our disagreement, but told the department head that I'd behaved in a very "unladylike" fashion towards him. The department head lectured me on how wrong I was and that I was to refrain from that behavior in the future.
I just left without a word. How could I fight that? I thought I was challenging a grading system I believed was unjust. And these two men thought they were fighting a woman who was challenging their gender-based authority. I couldn't win.
I just left without a word. How could I fight that? I thought I was challenging a grading system I believed was unjust. And these two men thought they were fighting a woman who was challenging their gender-based authority. I couldn't win.
6
You spoke up. Your audience at the time did not have the capacity to listen. But the fact that you did the right thing, despite their inability to be fair and just, is admirable. I am sorry it was a lonely experience. Thank you for sharing it here.
This was a factor in the election results. A smart woman wasn't seen by other women as brilliant enough to be president while a man with an inferior intellect was.
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Or maybe she was just a lousy candidate, and nobody liked her.
The election for POTUS is not a academic competition.
The election for POTUS is not a academic competition.
3
I agree completely!! It is a statement to how far we need to still go.
4
People don't like smart women OR smart men. Intelligent human beings are always seen as pretentious, no matter how hard they try to communicate warmth and approachability.
It's true that Mrs. Clinton's impressive resume was widely resented. On the other hand, young men often absorb the stereotype that intelligence is not masculine.
It's true that Mrs. Clinton's impressive resume was widely resented. On the other hand, young men often absorb the stereotype that intelligence is not masculine.
3
This article is nonsense. The fact is that girls get better school leaving exam results, and better University degrees than boys. It's what happens later in wider society which should concern us. Fathers do not step up to the diaper table to change the nappies of their own children, they do not make day-to-day arrangements for the education and care of their own children and deliver said children to those places, wait for them and bring them home from music, swimming or other classes, they do not treat child rearing as a job which requires intelligence, stamina and diligence.
Of course, fathers miss out on a huge emotional experience by not living with their children. And mothers miss out on the financial security which they sacrifice for the sake of raising their children properly. Society should recognize that many fathers as well as mothers would like a mix of responsibilities, not a segregated world.
I never heard of these stereotypes when I was growing up! I'm getting sick and tired of the Liberal media creating problems where none exist. When I was in school it was the girls who were usually the best students. And I played softball for 2 years. There were girls who played basketball and volleyball. If these girls are thimking that girls don't play sports the fault lies at the parents and other adults who STUPIDLY whine about how girls don't do this or most girls don't do that. Helllllo!? Those morons are basically telling girls what they do and don't do. Sheesh!
How about instead of whining about what girls can and can't do, Parents and other adults instead keep their complaints to themselves (at least when the children are around)
As I was a tomboy growing up I think I have a unique perspective. I loved to fish, shoot guns at the target range, I loved to play touch football with the boys (because I liked to impress the boys by standing out from the other girls) PLUS I also loved to play with my Barbie Dolls and baby dolls.
I loved dressing up in a dress. Especially when my Father and Mother made a fuss over me about how cute I looked.
They did keep an eye on my school grades and never once did they indicate that I wasn't capable of getting good grades.
So I'm thinking part of the reason girls hate being a girl is because of their sick, warped parents extremely distorted view about what girls and boys can do. smh
How about instead of whining about what girls can and can't do, Parents and other adults instead keep their complaints to themselves (at least when the children are around)
As I was a tomboy growing up I think I have a unique perspective. I loved to fish, shoot guns at the target range, I loved to play touch football with the boys (because I liked to impress the boys by standing out from the other girls) PLUS I also loved to play with my Barbie Dolls and baby dolls.
I loved dressing up in a dress. Especially when my Father and Mother made a fuss over me about how cute I looked.
They did keep an eye on my school grades and never once did they indicate that I wasn't capable of getting good grades.
So I'm thinking part of the reason girls hate being a girl is because of their sick, warped parents extremely distorted view about what girls and boys can do. smh
Did you read the article? In several places, the author specifically mentions the fact that girls tend to get better grades in school, AND that young girls become aware of this fact, even if they have already started to see their own gender as being less capable of "brilliance," as is clearly explained in this passage:
"At age 5, boys and girls were equally likely to associate intelligence with their own gender, but that changed quickly. At age 6, girls were significantly less likely to associate brilliance with their own gender. Many of them picked a male character to identify as the really smart person in the story, much as the boys did.
...
When we asked children to guess which of four children, two boys and two girls, would get the best grades in school, girls picked mostly other girls. In other words, the girls we tested were aware that girls do better in school than boys, but that didn’t change their ideas about who’s 'smart.'"
There is absolutely nothing in this article about girls not being capable of getting good grades—rather, it states the opposite is true (they can get good grades, and do).The point, rather, is that deep-rooted socio-cultural gender norms shape still shape boys' and girls' self-perceptions from childhood.
You say you were a tomboy—same here. But why that cutesy label, just because we liked sports? What's the word for boys who like sports? Relatedly, why do 5-year-old girls believe in their own "brilliance," but 6-year-old girls do not?
3
The myth of genetics effort and self-fulfilling prophesy are not useful for improving lives. If we as educators will look closely and analytically at how individual environments and differential treatment greatly affect thinking learning motivation to learn we can create many tools for students and adults to change and improve their lives. If we can see how average stress is made up of many maintained layers of unresolved mental work along with many faulty weights and values persons maintain that take up real mental energy we can then begin to see just how our individual environments and not genetics greatly affect thinking learning and motivation. This understanding if used properly can be used to provide much hope for many students and adults to more permanently reduce many non-essential layers of mental work to help approximate the stability that exists in more stable more supportive environments. This more accurate understanding alone will free our students and adults from the deadly myth of genetic permanence in ability we are currently teaching our students and reduce many harmful escapes and deaths from drug alcohol abuse and suicide. There is another variable/tool which involves the proper understanding and technique of approaching newer mental work correctly or the correct dynamics of approaching newer mental work more slowly at first. These concepts are very profound and wonderful for an insightful person in education. There is more information on this.
Girls are doing better. We are getting kind stable supports by parents teachers peers. We are given honor for being girls. Boys are given aggressive treatment and less care for fear of coddling. This is causing boys to fail.
Teachers may try bring out how some boys are brilliant. This may give young girls false impression boys are smarter. Also part of belief boys should be strong is giving honor on condition of achievement. Boys not achieving are given ridicule. The treatment of boys creates lower esteem to keep them trying to gain honor from parents others. This creates boys vying for attention from parents teachers. This makes boys try to have right answer first to gain bits of honor in the classroom. As girls we are not as driven for we are given honor for being girls. When we see boys striving hard we may think they are smarter. For those few boys who are doing well we need to see they have come from supportive families. Those boys are able to have success and gain the conditional honor and keep getting honor. This creates a never ending drug for those boys who are driven for success. As girls we are doing better. We are taking over in many areas but since we are given honor for being girls we can find success in many areas of interest. This is the reason there are not as many women in high areas. Even here as support drops for boys more women will choose to take over in stem fields and politics. At the same time our male peers are failing due to more harsh treatment.
Teachers may try bring out how some boys are brilliant. This may give young girls false impression boys are smarter. Also part of belief boys should be strong is giving honor on condition of achievement. Boys not achieving are given ridicule. The treatment of boys creates lower esteem to keep them trying to gain honor from parents others. This creates boys vying for attention from parents teachers. This makes boys try to have right answer first to gain bits of honor in the classroom. As girls we are not as driven for we are given honor for being girls. When we see boys striving hard we may think they are smarter. For those few boys who are doing well we need to see they have come from supportive families. Those boys are able to have success and gain the conditional honor and keep getting honor. This creates a never ending drug for those boys who are driven for success. As girls we are doing better. We are taking over in many areas but since we are given honor for being girls we can find success in many areas of interest. This is the reason there are not as many women in high areas. Even here as support drops for boys more women will choose to take over in stem fields and politics. At the same time our male peers are failing due to more harsh treatment.
A more accurate explanation is that girls are called pretty and boys are called smart. STOP obsessing with the way girls look and start affirming valuable qualities. My daughter ALWAYS knew she was smart. I seldom called her pretty because everyone else did. I affirmed her strength and intelligence. By the time she was 6 yo if someone called her pretty she would strike back and say "I'm smart and strong too!" She ended up being the smartest person in the school by the time she hit the 3rd grade. After seeing how much my affirmation empowered her I stopped calling little girls pretty altogether. I always call them smart or strong or talented or brave. I call them everything except pretty (unless I can tell they they need me to affirm their outer beauty).
1
Dear parents, teach your daughters to value their minds and not just their appearance. Encourage and model a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world. Read to them and talk to them. Have conversations involving rational and intelligent problem-solving. Dear Moms, model strength and a lively intellect. Dear Dads, respect your daughters.
Thanks for this article, yet another study on how powerful stereotype threat is. One difference between the 5 and 6 year olds may be the influence of Kindergarten. This is anecdotal, but when my daughter was in Kindergarten almost twenty years ago, her teacher and the aide used their own money to buy gender stereotypical prizes for the students, completely unconsciously, and were shocked at my upset. The prizes for the boys all said things, like "brilliant" and "future scientist" and the prizes for the girls all said "best smile", "sweetheart", etc. Despite my desire not to, I managed to pass on my math anxiety. Dweck and others' focus on the importance of effort in learning is welcome as are other suggestions. I also think that appealing to children's desire to be independent and providing time for reflection and revision instead of valorizing rapidity, especially in math, could support girls in sticking with STEM in particular. The competitive aspect of timed drills is so anxiety-producing for a number of students, especially girls, that they tell themselves that they're not good at math, even though that's the least of math.
2
Our boys need help too.
Boys drop out of school far more than girls, and are kicked out far more often. They go on to get only 40% of college degrees.
They also commit suicide 4 times as much as our girls, according to the National Suicide Hotline.
We quite rightly got energized to help girls catch up when they were behind in school, and for the last generation they have gotten that help.
Now that boys are the ones who have fallen behind, it's time we got just as energized to help them.
Boys drop out of school far more than girls, and are kicked out far more often. They go on to get only 40% of college degrees.
They also commit suicide 4 times as much as our girls, according to the National Suicide Hotline.
We quite rightly got energized to help girls catch up when they were behind in school, and for the last generation they have gotten that help.
Now that boys are the ones who have fallen behind, it's time we got just as energized to help them.
2
Boys need different help. They need to be helped to be good people. Girls never needed that. Now that brut force is not as easy a way forward as it once was they need help to understand that.
1
Helping one doesn't mean not helping the other. The focus here is on younger children in particular and their self-belief in their intellectual capacity particularly in STEM fields. It appears that boys may need more emotional support beyond elementary school.
Ph.D Counseling and Clinical Psych. M.S. Mathematics.
As a Gifted and Talented consultant, I agree with this gender problem as it relates to perceived intelligence; however, racial and cultural differences are more underrepresented than mere gender differences. Additionally, identification of the gifted becomes more difficult for cultural difference because while cognitive assessments are gender, racially, and culturally biased, the greatest discrepancies surround culture, followed by race, and with gender being least important.
Another topic that is, perhaps, more important than identification of giftedness and perception giftedness in self and others is why do so many formally identified gifted students become moderately 'successful' in life. There are gifts beyond cognition like public speaking, athletics, art, etc, ... Giftedness is not as important diligence or doggedness. Of course when the two are combined we get a President Obama, a Serena Williams, a Larry Bird, a Madame Curie, a Judat Polgar, a Michael Jackson, etc, ...
Finally, what many do not realize is that cognitive gifts are often accompanied by 'super-sensitivity,' increased memory and emotionality, increased perseveration, as well as the tendency to appear 'wild' and/or 'out of control.'
Students outside the bell-curve--above or below--will always face difficulties fitting in with their mainstream counterparts; however, the students who are also outside the 'ruling class'' makeup face even more difficulties for all the obvious reasons.
Another topic that is, perhaps, more important than identification of giftedness and perception giftedness in self and others is why do so many formally identified gifted students become moderately 'successful' in life. There are gifts beyond cognition like public speaking, athletics, art, etc, ... Giftedness is not as important diligence or doggedness. Of course when the two are combined we get a President Obama, a Serena Williams, a Larry Bird, a Madame Curie, a Judat Polgar, a Michael Jackson, etc, ...
Finally, what many do not realize is that cognitive gifts are often accompanied by 'super-sensitivity,' increased memory and emotionality, increased perseveration, as well as the tendency to appear 'wild' and/or 'out of control.'
Students outside the bell-curve--above or below--will always face difficulties fitting in with their mainstream counterparts; however, the students who are also outside the 'ruling class'' makeup face even more difficulties for all the obvious reasons.
4
The brilliant boys/hard-working girls trope doesn't start with parents and teachers and contemporary culture. It is a living dinosaur of a stereotype, reaching back through Victorians, the Enlightenment, the Renaissance and beyond. http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/Awiqj6rfK5494XH5fYrS/full#.Vlx1DQVNxBk...
1
Why? Why does this happen?
My daughter spent a week in summer camp and came home saying she couldn't ride her bike anymore because her bell was blue and 'blue is a boy's color.' She learned that at her school, in just one week.
Also, I have noticed in the playground boys tend to club together at this age, exclude our very physically active girl and say 'this is for boy's only'. It is up to the adults to step in at this age, check our own gender bias and not give this type of behavior a pass. Repeated behavior has a cumulative impact and erodes the self-esteem of girls.
My daughter spent a week in summer camp and came home saying she couldn't ride her bike anymore because her bell was blue and 'blue is a boy's color.' She learned that at her school, in just one week.
Also, I have noticed in the playground boys tend to club together at this age, exclude our very physically active girl and say 'this is for boy's only'. It is up to the adults to step in at this age, check our own gender bias and not give this type of behavior a pass. Repeated behavior has a cumulative impact and erodes the self-esteem of girls.
4
Kick her where to kick them. I taught this to my 6 year old niece 20 some years ago and it worked very well.
Unfortunately,peer group pressure is extremely powerful. Perhaps group sessions could be employed Where individual gender prejudices could be brought into the open and many interventions could be used,
The absolute worst message I got as a child was that it was okay to be smart as long as you didn't work hard. Working hard was something you had to do while being innately smart was something you couldn't help.
1
This is SO TRUE. My daughter is probably one of the smartest kids in her class. There are also more girls in her gifted & talented class than boys. About 14 girls and 11 boys. The other day I was chatting with her and asked her if there were more boys or girls and she said "I think boys." I had to whip out her class picture and show her that there were MORE GIRLS. And then we talked about whether she thought she was smart. This is a girl being raised by a progressive, intersectional feminist social activist mom and a scientist dad. A girl who is being raised to literally be lord commander of the universe (only mildly joking.) There is so much socialized sexism out there and I find that I have to constantly keep a line of communication open about defying gendered stereotypes or my daughter gets brain washed with society's message.
My daughter entered pre-school at 2.5 with no concept of princess culture or any affinity for the color pink. Her favorite colors at the time was brown and dark red. Her pre-school teachers all congratulated me for raising her to not automatically fall into stereotypical "girl culture". Alas, within about three months she was all princess culture and pink. It took a lot of work to teach a 6 year old the dynamics of heteronormative stereotyping and sexism in language and concepts she can understand. But this is what it takes.
My daughter entered pre-school at 2.5 with no concept of princess culture or any affinity for the color pink. Her favorite colors at the time was brown and dark red. Her pre-school teachers all congratulated me for raising her to not automatically fall into stereotypical "girl culture". Alas, within about three months she was all princess culture and pink. It took a lot of work to teach a 6 year old the dynamics of heteronormative stereotyping and sexism in language and concepts she can understand. But this is what it takes.
6
I so agree. Something in the school process does this.
1
I teach GED classes for women in a coed correctional (treatment oriented) facility. I've been doing this for some time, although it is a second career for me. My biggest hurdle is to get the young women (average age is 26) to believe in themselves and in their ability. My biggest peeve is the ladies who come to class on the first day telling me that 'I hate math' or 'I hate science'. The worst is the ones that come to class and announce to one and all 'I can't learn." Fortunately, over the years, I've been able to convince a number of them that not only can they learn, they can learn the math and science as well.
But like so much in life, attitude is everything.
But like so much in life, attitude is everything.
4
This song from South Pacific tells how prejudice is LEARNED. I suspect the same thinking applies to how young girls learn:
You've Got To Be Carefully Taught sung by John Kerr (as Lt. Cable):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAZ8yOFFbAc
You've Got To Be Carefully Taught sung by John Kerr (as Lt. Cable):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAZ8yOFFbAc
2
When I was in Middle School, those getting top grades were girls. Of course, they didn't play in the band or orchestra, or do much else but study. Those who later went to engineering school were boys, not girls. I suppose they got married.
2
Getting married is a career anymore; few succeed on one income. Maybe they stopped believing in themselves because they somehow got the message that no women were wanted in the "male" fields of engineering, computer science, or finance. Of course a two-parent family (of any gender) would probably be amking a fairly decent living . . .
When my daughter was very, very young, I told her that girls were naturally smarter than boys and that girls excelled at math and science. Low and behold, my daughter, now in her 30s, excelled in school and in math and science. Correlation is not causation but such evidence cannot be ignored. But I do agree that men are falling behind in education. This does not bode well for our society.
6
This resonates strongly with me.
I still remember a task given to us at school where we needed to design an underwater home. I remember it was about year 4-5. We were split into groups of threes and I chose to go with two of my guy friends.
We worked on the ideas and plan collectively. It was my idea to create a dome shape with thick glass/clear perspex to withstand the pressure of the ocean... so I set about drawing that and colouring it in solidly to show the density in both the plan and bird's-eye views. The other two guys set about drawing the internal floorplan which we verbally discussed as a group as it was created.
I was pretty proud of what we had made and looked at the images with joy when we hung them up on the wall to observe all the groups models. I felt ours was the most architecturally sound.
What happened next I still remember to this day. Our teacher gave me a lower mark for the assignment then my two male class mates. At the time I was upset and really confused... I couldn't understand why I received the lower mark as we were all part of the same group working together. The decisions to make the building structurally sound were mine.
As I was young I didn't question the teacher I simply accepted the mark with disappointment. Now that I'm older I believe I understand more about what happened... and it makes me sad for my younger self that this was the beginning of my realisation that different genders were perceived differently.
I still remember a task given to us at school where we needed to design an underwater home. I remember it was about year 4-5. We were split into groups of threes and I chose to go with two of my guy friends.
We worked on the ideas and plan collectively. It was my idea to create a dome shape with thick glass/clear perspex to withstand the pressure of the ocean... so I set about drawing that and colouring it in solidly to show the density in both the plan and bird's-eye views. The other two guys set about drawing the internal floorplan which we verbally discussed as a group as it was created.
I was pretty proud of what we had made and looked at the images with joy when we hung them up on the wall to observe all the groups models. I felt ours was the most architecturally sound.
What happened next I still remember to this day. Our teacher gave me a lower mark for the assignment then my two male class mates. At the time I was upset and really confused... I couldn't understand why I received the lower mark as we were all part of the same group working together. The decisions to make the building structurally sound were mine.
As I was young I didn't question the teacher I simply accepted the mark with disappointment. Now that I'm older I believe I understand more about what happened... and it makes me sad for my younger self that this was the beginning of my realisation that different genders were perceived differently.
11
As usual, none dare call it heredity.
According to Cimpian & Leslie, girls' self-esteem (at least regarding which gender is "really, really smart", significantly declines at age 6.
They then go on to say that their research "suggests" that girls (and boys) are "picking up on cultural stereotypes that girls aren't as smart as boys." They also say that once these stereotypes are internalized they may have lasting effects.
As Paolo notes in a comment, there seem to be questions about whether the authors are accurately reporting their findings. But regardless, they have not supplied one shred of evidence that the 6-year old girls' beliefs are the result of "picking up on cultural stereotypes." Nor have they offered any explanation regarding how that process works and why it happens at 6 years old rather than 5.
Why do they rule out a priori the possibility that the girls they studied formed their beliefs based on their observation rather than by osmotically absorbing cultural stereotypes? And if six years old is the inflection point, why? It sounds very much like a developmental phenomenon -- it's internal rather than internalized.
Some years ago, when then Harvard President Larry Summers pointed out that on tests of cognitive ability there are proportionally more males than females at both the lower and upper tails of the test score distributions, he was lynched.
The field of gender differences is hopelessly politicized, and that taints findings like these ones.
According to Cimpian & Leslie, girls' self-esteem (at least regarding which gender is "really, really smart", significantly declines at age 6.
They then go on to say that their research "suggests" that girls (and boys) are "picking up on cultural stereotypes that girls aren't as smart as boys." They also say that once these stereotypes are internalized they may have lasting effects.
As Paolo notes in a comment, there seem to be questions about whether the authors are accurately reporting their findings. But regardless, they have not supplied one shred of evidence that the 6-year old girls' beliefs are the result of "picking up on cultural stereotypes." Nor have they offered any explanation regarding how that process works and why it happens at 6 years old rather than 5.
Why do they rule out a priori the possibility that the girls they studied formed their beliefs based on their observation rather than by osmotically absorbing cultural stereotypes? And if six years old is the inflection point, why? It sounds very much like a developmental phenomenon -- it's internal rather than internalized.
Some years ago, when then Harvard President Larry Summers pointed out that on tests of cognitive ability there are proportionally more males than females at both the lower and upper tails of the test score distributions, he was lynched.
The field of gender differences is hopelessly politicized, and that taints findings like these ones.
2
It's just and Eugenics has never proven its worth as a science, because it's hopelessly culturally biased. If you or anyone can prove that my brain is less capable of learning math because I was born with a vagina or because of female sex hormones, or any other innate sex-typed or gender-specific cognitive reason, I would actually thank you. I wouldn't feel less like a failure in this area, and I wouldn't have even had to tried to learn math. I could just turn that chore over to boys, except, of course, that they would, no doubt, rob what little money I make!
We see from our president and many in the cabinet that they're are men out there (and a handful of women) who believe they are brilliant and able to do jobs without knowledge or experience. Confidence in one's genius may be an alternate term for "hubris."
3
This article misrepresents Dweck's findings that those who are praised for their effort do better on academic tasks than those who are praised for their intelligence. So maybe the fact that girls are more likely to view themselves as hard-working and less likely to view themselves as brilliant than boys contributes to the improved academic outcomes for girls, on average.
4
Girls are way smarter than boys! My Dad, who was a college professor always said he had the grade books to prove that.
3
From personal experience - I totally agree that role models are really important. As a woman who was lucky enough to have an aunt to look up to who studied Math in the late 60's, it made sense to me growing up that I was also good at math and ended up studying it in the early 2000's. As an adult, it's frustrating to learn of women's contributions to math and science that have been overshadowed or forgotten. Please teach our children that women being talented in STEM fields is not a new phenomenon.
7
Research has shown that there is substantially more variation in men, both good and bad, when it comes to intelligence. Maybe this is why.
Does their research take into account other countries and ethnic groups? Do girls in Korea think they aren't as smart as the boys?
Does their research take into account other countries and ethnic groups? Do girls in Korea think they aren't as smart as the boys?
2
I remember a psych class in college where the professor explained why girls had higher grades and did better in school. It was because girls were raised to be quieter, more obedient and eager to please. It had nothing to do with intelligence.
Boys, of course, did more poorly in academic surroundings because they were physically active, rebellious and more interested in thinking for themselves.
So even when girls "win," they lose!
Boys, of course, did more poorly in academic surroundings because they were physically active, rebellious and more interested in thinking for themselves.
So even when girls "win," they lose!
9
How did it happen that nowadays gender stereotypes both for girls and boys seem to be more rigid and unforgiving than 30 years ago?
Internet, Disney, Barbie, TV? I don´t know...
In any case, I am convinced that these stereotypes hurt boys as much as girls, although in different ways. The pressure to conform is increasing. I find it hard to pin down its sources, but I am desperate to find a way to mitigate this pressure on my children.
What can we do as parents and grandparents?
That´s the most important question
Internet, Disney, Barbie, TV? I don´t know...
In any case, I am convinced that these stereotypes hurt boys as much as girls, although in different ways. The pressure to conform is increasing. I find it hard to pin down its sources, but I am desperate to find a way to mitigate this pressure on my children.
What can we do as parents and grandparents?
That´s the most important question
7
While the study is interesting, it is unfortunate that the authors have misled audiences and caused clamor over something that their own study does not support. Having downloaded the supplementary information that is linked at the end of the article, and checked the results carefully, what the results *actually* show is this:
* At the age of 5, both boys and girls tend associate their gender more than the opposite gender with being "really really smart."
* At ages 6-7, girls assume that a really really smart person is equally likely to be male or female (the score is almost exactly 50%), but boys continue to assume that a really really smart person is probably a boy. In other words, as early as 6 years, girls are smart enough to figure out that gender has nothing to do with how smart you are, while boys fail to shed their delusions of intellectual grandeur.
* In contrast, both girls and boys, by the age of 6, believe that if a person is really really nice, it's probably a girl. Hence if there is any bias, it is that boys realize by an early age that they are not as nice as girls.
* A third result from the appendix, which the article mentions only in passing, is that girls are much more likely to assume that someone successful in school must be a girl, while boys are gender-neutral about this.
So, the correct interpretation of the authors' result is that girls of 6 and 7 believe they are just as smart as boys, but nicer and more likely to succeed.
* At the age of 5, both boys and girls tend associate their gender more than the opposite gender with being "really really smart."
* At ages 6-7, girls assume that a really really smart person is equally likely to be male or female (the score is almost exactly 50%), but boys continue to assume that a really really smart person is probably a boy. In other words, as early as 6 years, girls are smart enough to figure out that gender has nothing to do with how smart you are, while boys fail to shed their delusions of intellectual grandeur.
* In contrast, both girls and boys, by the age of 6, believe that if a person is really really nice, it's probably a girl. Hence if there is any bias, it is that boys realize by an early age that they are not as nice as girls.
* A third result from the appendix, which the article mentions only in passing, is that girls are much more likely to assume that someone successful in school must be a girl, while boys are gender-neutral about this.
So, the correct interpretation of the authors' result is that girls of 6 and 7 believe they are just as smart as boys, but nicer and more likely to succeed.
14
Sugar and spice and everything nice vs. snips and snails and puppy dogs' tails.
1
Thanks Paolo. Cimpian & Leslie need to explain the apparent contradiction between their op-ed and the underlying research.
In the op-ed, they say that at age 6 "girls were significantly less likely to associate brilliance with their own gender," but Paolo reports that their study shows that "[a]t ages 6-7, girls assume that a really really smart person is equally likely to be male or female (the score is almost exactly 50%)."
Which is it? This field is already notoriously politicized, so the researchers need to clarify their findings.
In the op-ed, they say that at age 6 "girls were significantly less likely to associate brilliance with their own gender," but Paolo reports that their study shows that "[a]t ages 6-7, girls assume that a really really smart person is equally likely to be male or female (the score is almost exactly 50%)."
Which is it? This field is already notoriously politicized, so the researchers need to clarify their findings.
1
Boys drop out of school far more than girls, and are kicked out far more often. They go on to get only 40% of college degrees. Our boys need help too.
They also, by the way, commit suicide 4 times as much as our girls, according to the National Suicide Hotline.
We quite rightly got energized to help girls catch up when they were behind in school, and of the last generation they have gotten that help.
Now that boys are the ones who have fallen behind, it's time we got just as energized to help them.
They also, by the way, commit suicide 4 times as much as our girls, according to the National Suicide Hotline.
We quite rightly got energized to help girls catch up when they were behind in school, and of the last generation they have gotten that help.
Now that boys are the ones who have fallen behind, it's time we got just as energized to help them.
12
when I was growing up I always wondered how come the worlds best chefs are men while cooking was for the longest time women's domain
8
This narrative is the opposite of what I see in real life and have read in the NYT prior (where boys thought it wasn't cool to try and make grades.)
Boys are losing out to girls in education across the board. Girls make better grades. More graduate from high school. More get into and graduate from college. Medical schools have more women than men. In my town there is a public all girls school WITHOUT a male equivalent. (Can you imagine the uproar if there was an all white school!). Things have changed from our Mother's times.
I think the agenda of the author got in the way of what is really happening in the real world. This is problematic, at least in my profession, where women physicians tend to work more part time than men and retire earlier than men. This will contribute to the physician shortage over time and may translate in a similar fashion to other professions.
Boys are losing out to girls in education across the board. Girls make better grades. More graduate from high school. More get into and graduate from college. Medical schools have more women than men. In my town there is a public all girls school WITHOUT a male equivalent. (Can you imagine the uproar if there was an all white school!). Things have changed from our Mother's times.
I think the agenda of the author got in the way of what is really happening in the real world. This is problematic, at least in my profession, where women physicians tend to work more part time than men and retire earlier than men. This will contribute to the physician shortage over time and may translate in a similar fashion to other professions.
1
Studies like this with examples and generalizations can easily come to the wrong conclusions. I believe that while some of the details here may be true, the conclusion is wrong. Girls in fact have taken over the educational world of high achievement. The most selective schools have to discriminate against girls just like they discriminate against Asians to keep their student bodies balanced. Professional schools have a preponderance of girls now. If anyone is telling kids that boys are more capable, the girls aren't listening.
6
Yes, it's true. A generation ago we decided--quite rightly--to help girls catch up in school. Now, boys are behind and falling father back every year. Boys get fed Ritalin if they act like normally active young males and not enough like "nice, quiet" girls. They drop out more, get kicked out more, commit suicide 4 times as much as girls according to the National Suicide Hotline, and go on to get only about 40% of college degrees.
It's boys' turn to get the help they now need and deserve.
It's boys' turn to get the help they now need and deserve.
3
This may be true in some fields but in those that many consider are for "smart" people, like STEM fields, women are still grossly underrepresented.
9
This makes me sad - I was one of those very smart little girls who got so many mixed messages about being nice, not being too big for my britches, but always get good grades and be obedient. I was forced to skip a grade but never given real guidance about what I could do in the world. I had no confidence, achieved nothing, and could have done so much more. One of the role models I wish I'd had as a girl? Michelle Obama. Things are better now, but not better enough, clearly, because the insidious mixed messages are still so powerful.
19
I was extremely to have had a mother like I had. I grew up in the rural deep South. My mom always told my sisters and me that we were smart. Now, we three have at least masters' degrees in our field. We are successful women. Our children - her grandchildren - all have masters' degrees or PhDs. I believe all this is because we had a mother who made us believe we were smart, and she pushed us all to do our very best in school and to go as far as we wanted to go.
9
I think these trends are absolutely true. On the other end of it though, how do we look at the fact that many more women choose to leave successful careers in favor of their family. And women, who have surpassed college attendance compared to men, and often gather further advanced degrees, often finish that by once again, not pursuing the career to match the education. And lets not make this a discussion of women as victims as being the gender forced to raise children. Or choosing a role that still aligns often with a "caring field". I think more likely there is plenty of biology driving genders, as young as children, toward paths in life.
We've gone from over-embracing them as a society (disallowing women to work at all) to trying to completely reject them. A better approach may be to look at the combination of biology and social factors when thinking about these. Not every child needs to be on the "brilliant" track, both girls or boys. Discussions with older girls and boys should not just be about how to create the perfect engineer, doctor or lawyer; 100% equally; but include questions about balancing a career and family. Or even whether a boy or girl wants to be on the "brilliant" track, or if they really do enjoy caring for others, their family, and embracing that. I've known women that have followed the expected path until 25/30 only to realize they'd prefer the traditional, but shunned, caring fields. They become RNs or Teachers, and love it.
We've gone from over-embracing them as a society (disallowing women to work at all) to trying to completely reject them. A better approach may be to look at the combination of biology and social factors when thinking about these. Not every child needs to be on the "brilliant" track, both girls or boys. Discussions with older girls and boys should not just be about how to create the perfect engineer, doctor or lawyer; 100% equally; but include questions about balancing a career and family. Or even whether a boy or girl wants to be on the "brilliant" track, or if they really do enjoy caring for others, their family, and embracing that. I've known women that have followed the expected path until 25/30 only to realize they'd prefer the traditional, but shunned, caring fields. They become RNs or Teachers, and love it.
1
Look at what girls watch: start with the Disney Channel, cartoons, movies and TV shows (even the Big Bang Theory). The smart, brainy characters aren't the pretty ones. (Recess, Scooby Doo, etc.) They are the dorky ones, the ones with glasses and braces. The smart, less popular best friend. Even when these girls embrace their smarts, they are not the ones the boys find interesting. At least not the cool boys. This is what a lot of girls watch and absorb from a young age.
9
On the Big Bang, Bernadette is pretty and also smart. They do costume and make-up Amy to be nerdy looking, but that's okay. The men on the Big Bang are all pretty nerdy too.
I'm female and an engineer. Engineers aren't really known for being socially outgoing or for trying to look good, and that's also okay. We still manage to have relationships. And sex.
You're right though. If you want the cool really good-looking guy, STEM is not for you - or (probably) the cool really good-looking guy either.
I'm female and an engineer. Engineers aren't really known for being socially outgoing or for trying to look good, and that's also okay. We still manage to have relationships. And sex.
You're right though. If you want the cool really good-looking guy, STEM is not for you - or (probably) the cool really good-looking guy either.
6
I went through the catholic school system in the 50's and 60's including a girls high school. Ironically, given the church's extreme patriarchy, I experienced women in positions of authority. Nuns ran the elementary school, including the principal. We knew boys were more valued because anytime we marched in file (often) the boys went first. But the women were in charge and that was something powerful that I internalized. In high school the only male in the building was the janitor. Also, student clubs, student government, etc were led by girls.
7
Was there any bias in choosing the gender of the character who was "really, really nice"? That part was mentioned and then forgotten.
It is only beginning in grade 1 that children are subjected to learning environments in which their success and failure is interpreted for them by an adult. Playing isn't graded, so there is equality. But once testing and grading take over -- controlled by teachers whose biases are wholly internalized -- children "learn" who is smart and who is not.
These studies are revealing -- but what they reveal is that when boys and girls are exposed to the gender bias of a teacher, they absorb it quickly and completely.
These studies are revealing -- but what they reveal is that when boys and girls are exposed to the gender bias of a teacher, they absorb it quickly and completely.
3
Then blame their parents. Not everybody is smart, nor is everybody athletic. Do what you can to improve weaknesses and hone in on strengths.
2
This is for 6 year old girls.
What about 16 year old?
I doubt they think the same at that age.
What about 16 year old?
I doubt they think the same at that age.
This article illustrates some of the problems with psychological “science” and why its now going through a crisis of credibility. First, the article leaves completely undefined what "really, really smart" or "really, really nice" means for a 5 or 6 year old. Psychology's reliance upon survey questions with undefined terms is hazardous even with adults, but is worthless with such young children. Second, the questions are unincentivized. Kids have not only have no incentive to tell the truth, but more importantly, no incentive to reflect carefully on the truth--supposing that they could understand such vague terms as smart at that age. Third, they asked the same two questions to the same kid. So, if the kid chooses girls as nicer, they will automatically not choose girls as smart. Psychology aspires to answer the most difficult complex questions about human nature, given incredibly naïve of assumptions, literally assuming nature, in this case, children, will just answer the questions that it asks. Someday, psychology will be forced by its failures to start to examine its own methods for hidden assumptions and test whether those assumptions are valid. Until that day comes, it is not a science.
3
The much vaunted study in Science showing that women are less well represented in scientific fields where science regard brilliance as necessary also suffers from the problem that there will be more brilliant men in any field if there are just plain more men entering into science. When fewer women enter a field, there will be fewer outstanding women in that field. Therefore, fewer of the outstanding people of the field will be women. Their study proves nothing except that Science has a low bar studies purporting to show gender discrimination.
3
The comments section is even more telling than the article.
The point of the article is that young girls change their perception of their gender between the ages of 5 and 6. They begin to believe that women are not "really really smart." This leads them to lose interest in pursuits that they think require exceptional intelligence.
Several readers have posted comments to the effect that men's IQs spread along a wider bell curve than women's, leading to the "fact" that there are more male geniuses than female. These geniuses then deduce that between the ages of 5 and 6 girls acquire enough experience in the world to extrapolate that men are in fact smarter than women.
Sheesh!
The point of the article is that young girls change their perception of their gender between the ages of 5 and 6. They begin to believe that women are not "really really smart." This leads them to lose interest in pursuits that they think require exceptional intelligence.
Several readers have posted comments to the effect that men's IQs spread along a wider bell curve than women's, leading to the "fact" that there are more male geniuses than female. These geniuses then deduce that between the ages of 5 and 6 girls acquire enough experience in the world to extrapolate that men are in fact smarter than women.
Sheesh!
9
Could it be that the 6 year old is not saying that the female is "not" smart but that the femake is"nicer" in young children the female stereotype is that they are nicer than males. Given the choice they will title the female nicer over males. These test really show the assumptions for the outcome bias of the author.
2
In so far as I agree with the article I would love to see IF there is a difference in schools of one gender. All girl schools as has been my experience share a different sentiment or so it felt. I would love to know if this indeed holds any water.
4
I went to an all girls' school and I agree, there was never any of this "i'm not smart enough" rubbish. Also, I was raised by a strong mother, who earned more than my dad. She was a career woman, he worked from home. This probably explains quite a bit.
2
I also went to an all-girls Catholic high school and college. The shock of entering the real world and encountering real, deliberate discrimination was huge.
2
I am the mother of a set of male/female twins. When I wheeled them in their stroller as babies, people always told my daughter what a "pretty girl" she was, but told my son he was a "big boy" or a "smart boy." And therein lies the root of the problem.
20
How about studying the ramifications of the extraordinary pressure girls face to "be nice?" Seems as if that would factor in an ability to claim high intelligence.
5
This study is quite flawed, the sample size is a joke.
1
And boys are told they shouldn't cry, so they become emotionally stunted.
5
I'm 23, a woman, and pursuing an MD at a US medical school.
The most common response when asked about what I am doing with my life:
"Oh, that's a tough path to have a work-life balance as a woman. But, I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Let me be the first one to tell you - they're not sure.
The most common response when asked about what I am doing with my life:
"Oh, that's a tough path to have a work-life balance as a woman. But, I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Let me be the first one to tell you - they're not sure.
9
Well well well, how girls are going to be self-assertive when male-old-authoritarian figures tell us, adult women, what we should do or not do with our bodies (which by the way are not separate entities from our intellect), how? And, how women/children are going to feel equal when "some" women accept the authoritarian-male figures of deciding for them, how?
We have to keep fighting for our rights, otherwise, we will keep being second citizens, no matter how many positive-"pledges" we recite to keep our girls ego up-and-high
We have to keep fighting for our rights, otherwise, we will keep being second citizens, no matter how many positive-"pledges" we recite to keep our girls ego up-and-high
6
The power of advertising deserves a mention. Our children are exposed to gender stereotypes in advertising at younger and younger ages through TV and social media. This is just another reminder of why we need to watch c;pse;u which messages our kids receive.
7
It's almost as if 6-year-old girls are smart enough to notice the same real world patterns that Larry Summers got fired from being president of Harvard for publicly noticing.
We must redouble our efforts on the Intelligence Denialism front. All existing libraries must shoved down the Memory Hole and be retconned full of biographies of Alberta Einstein and Isadora Newton.
We must redouble our efforts on the Intelligence Denialism front. All existing libraries must shoved down the Memory Hole and be retconned full of biographies of Alberta Einstein and Isadora Newton.
2
I am female and have always been been pretty aggressive in getting the more challenging jobs, in arguing my points, and, in general, being just as big an egotistical jerk as my male co-workers. I never doubted my brain, and neither did anyone who I worked with.
But something has changed. Now everything is about "teamwork" and that is a killer for women. Because no matter what you contribute to a project, even if you do 95% of the work, and 99% of the thinking, if there's a man on the project - everyone assumes he's the brains. It was so much better when I could just put my name on my own work. Taking that one thing away has made all the difference. So - I'm not sure what to tell the girls of today. To me, the role of women is growing more subservient, not less.
But something has changed. Now everything is about "teamwork" and that is a killer for women. Because no matter what you contribute to a project, even if you do 95% of the work, and 99% of the thinking, if there's a man on the project - everyone assumes he's the brains. It was so much better when I could just put my name on my own work. Taking that one thing away has made all the difference. So - I'm not sure what to tell the girls of today. To me, the role of women is growing more subservient, not less.
14
There’s been a backlash and women are increasingly getting all of this administrative work while the men are seen as the ones with the real potential to become “leaders” and blah blah. But of course when you’re bogged down in admin work you aren’t able to practice acting like a leader..... it’s so counterintuitive yet it’s happening right in front of everyone, every day. Ugh.
1
And what if it were all true?
The top .1% of maths and verbal reasoning was and still is dominated by men.
In the 80's for maths it was a full 13 to 1 for boys.
But those will probably just be called my "alternative" facts
See the Economist: http://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/290-width...
The top .1% of maths and verbal reasoning was and still is dominated by men.
In the 80's for maths it was a full 13 to 1 for boys.
But those will probably just be called my "alternative" facts
See the Economist: http://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/290-width...
Funny how nobody remembers that Hermione was ridiculed and shunned for being smart, and only accepted into Harry's circle after she got him and Ron out of trouble. As discussed in Sandberg's Lean In, girls who are intelligent with strong leadership are torn down by both men and women, whereas men are praised and built up in a double standard. Hermoine constantly has to put up with criticism and dislike by both the boys and girls in that world for the sole reason that she is smart. She still needs to be "saved" by Harry and Ron even though she is touted about as the most intelligent and skilled witch of her year. So is Hermione really an exception to this cultural stereotype?
10
It was my understanding (I am a woman btw) that studies had born out these stereotypes - that men are more likely to score in the extreme ranges of intelligence tests (either very below or very above average) whereas women tend to fall more in the middle.
This would explain why women tend to do better overall then men in school, but men still tend to be the leaders of their field.
This would explain why women tend to do better overall then men in school, but men still tend to be the leaders of their field.
Not sure why there is so much faith in assessments of intelligence. These are cultural constructions of intelligence that seek to minimize variables.
There are statistically more male geniuses than female geniuses in this world. Therefore the children are correct.. a male is more likely to be really really really smart.
But females make up >50% of admissions to college, medical school, law school, vet school, pharmacy school, and the majority of other graduate schools.
You can see how I'm a bit perplexed as to what sort of stereotype you'd like to fix. Recapping.. there are more super smart males but females are more successful in academics this day and age. Sounds like the gender that needs the encouragement is male...
The mental gymnastics to force a victim card in 2017 has no bounds. Keep it up in 20 years we will be seeing emotionally and academically stunted males who believe they are the cause of all the worlds problems.
The joke will be on the ladies when they pick which shell of a man they are to marry.
But females make up >50% of admissions to college, medical school, law school, vet school, pharmacy school, and the majority of other graduate schools.
You can see how I'm a bit perplexed as to what sort of stereotype you'd like to fix. Recapping.. there are more super smart males but females are more successful in academics this day and age. Sounds like the gender that needs the encouragement is male...
The mental gymnastics to force a victim card in 2017 has no bounds. Keep it up in 20 years we will be seeing emotionally and academically stunted males who believe they are the cause of all the worlds problems.
The joke will be on the ladies when they pick which shell of a man they are to marry.
2
Yes, but from the same Bell curve, a male is MUCH more likely to also be of lower intelligence . You point is?
4
But males ARE the cause of all the world's problems...and that's a historic fact.
Also can we stop referring to women as females and men as males? "Female" is either an adjective, or a noun but not used for humans. Human "females" are women.
Also can we stop referring to women as females and men as males? "Female" is either an adjective, or a noun but not used for humans. Human "females" are women.
Why so bitter? How do you define a genius? You really think history is all in the past? Dream on.
Commercial children toys and clothes manufacturers perpetuate these stereotypes. I have a 4 year old granddaughter and her Christmas gift of a doctor's kit arrived with a boy playing doctor. I taped a photo of a girl over it. When I buy her clothes any nature oriented or scientific theme shirt is found in the boy section. Girls shirts are plastered with frilly, fantastical figures. How do we stop this widespread commercialization that demeans and attacks the intelligence and dignity of girls?
9
Don't buy the shirts with sparkle and unicorns, buy the so-called boy's shirt. A shirt is just a shirt and anyone can wear it. Sellers would catch on pretty fast if everyone bought the shirts with the scientific themes and left the pink frilly ones on the shelf.
6
How disappointing to go thru every line, every statistic, and not even see mentioned the *fact* that, as measured by modern IQ tests, boys/men have a much heavier grouping at the very top level (genius). They also have a much heavier grouping at the bottom (dumb). In other words, any individual woman may be as smart as an individual man, but there are more men among the bottom ~5% and the top ~3%.
For sure this is not popular to discuss, even with the best of intentions. There are legitimate, valid reason why chess, poker, physics, etc. are lacking in women. But there are also valid reaasons to believe that boys are much more likely to excel in tasks/jobs that require inordinate amount of intelligence, mental focus, and creativity.
That doesn't diminish girls. I do find it suspicious that so many classroom statistics were quoted, but none concerning how female teacher discriminate against male students. Perhaps girl students can perceive this truth, and can therefore correctly hold both picking a male student as a "really smart" person buy a girl as one who got "good grades".
For sure this is not popular to discuss, even with the best of intentions. There are legitimate, valid reason why chess, poker, physics, etc. are lacking in women. But there are also valid reaasons to believe that boys are much more likely to excel in tasks/jobs that require inordinate amount of intelligence, mental focus, and creativity.
That doesn't diminish girls. I do find it suspicious that so many classroom statistics were quoted, but none concerning how female teacher discriminate against male students. Perhaps girl students can perceive this truth, and can therefore correctly hold both picking a male student as a "really smart" person buy a girl as one who got "good grades".
1
Large assumptions for an assessment often challenged for bias in item and task creation, methodology, cultural assumptions and limitations in scope to define intelligence, and results. Do you honestly believe that one gender is more likely to possess "an inordinate amount of intelligence, mental focus, and creativity"? Why am I not surprised that your name is "Neal".
Try being a smart girl who knows she is smart. Most people, male and female, will feel threatened and subtly outraged, as if something is fundamentally wrong with the natural order.
10
Amen.
1
This has probably already been done but I'd like to see a NY Times/ article article about it: how about asking women who are brilliant, in and out of the sciences, what was different about their upbringing? I would especially encourage people to talk to Asian-American families where women are traditionally taught to be demure as well but where in most instances, they are not discouraged from pursuing the sciences. I can tell you what influenced me: a mom and dad who expected me to be a good student generally (math, science, AND the humanities) and did not link it to sex/ gender at all. This was supplemented by male mentors/ teachers (with daughter which might have influenced them) who supported me in my early career despite our research group/ department being predominantly male.
6
The girls may be over-represented in college, in medical school and even in graduate school in the biological sciences. In graduate school they may perform at the same level or even better than their male peers. By the time you get to the full professor level, they will have mostly all disappeared. The reason this occurs is obvious for any woman that has been through the system. Male and female students come in with with inherent gender prejudices and they will treat male and female faculty differently: If you are ambitious and you want to work for someone "brilliant" you apply to work with the male, while if you want someone who will be sympathetic and nice, you choose the woman. After a while the male professor, having attracted all the brilliant male and female students, will have published more and gotten more grants. This will reinforce the idea that the male is more brilliant and successful than the female. The male will be offered tenure and the woman won't be, further perpetuating the problem of missing female role models at the top levels of academia. Combine this with subtle prejudices in blinded peer manuscript and grant review and its no surprise that the women disappear: In addition to losing out on networking activities because they are underrepresented, the women won't win as many grants and they won't publish in the same high impact journals...Teaching students to recognize their own biases in high school might help to stop the attrition.
6
How do they know that the kids were matching "smart" to male? Perhaps they were actually matching "nice" to female.
1
The children were given nothing to work with except cultural ideas and biases. They were not allowed to know anything useful about the people in the pictures. It's unfair to deprive people of information and force them to guess. When I was in college somebody was doing a psychology study. She showed me a picture of an overweight model and asked if I thought she was married. I looked for a ring but the picture didn't show her hands. I said I couldn't tell, and the questioner asked me to guess. I guess. She said "engineers always find these things so hard because they want evidence." That's right, we do want evidence, and a study with no information isn't much of a study. Sure, you find people are biased when the deprive them of useful data.
1
Are girls internalizing "cultural stereotypes" that are jammed down their throats? Or is it just possible that, as early as five years old, boys start behaving in ways that are seen as demonstrating higher intelligence? It has been shown that, from birth, male babies are more interested in mechanical things, like mobiles, and girls are more interested in faces. This has even been shown to be true in other primates--so we can dispense with the silly argument that the differences between the sexes are solely cultural. Attention to and an understanding of mechanical things does, in fact, correlate with the type of intelligence that is required to excel in science and technology. So rather than blaming culture, or the patriarchy, or men, or whomever the villain du jour is, maybe we should try to change girls' nature.
1
How do prove "nature over nurture"? If it's true that boys are innately mechanically inclined, aside from asking why I'm stuck fixing the toilet and sink, can this be proven by studying the brain? I wonder if gender differences that could explain what you claim have been studied or proven.
I don't know anyone who thinks that being intellectually gifted is a male quality. Generally, people think that men have more of the "social intelligence" and know-how in how to be part of the "boys' club" that provides them career success. At least in my neck of the woods.
3
It would be very interesting to compare this research with similar studies from other countries - e.g. Sweden which boast about being one of the most equal countries. Will the same dip in confidence for show girls at age of 6?
29
In Iceland, girls outperform boys in math in high school, and boys believe that math is a 'girl' thing and that boys shouldn't even try.
4
Funding makes a difference. Ever watch a group of students trying to play with limited resources? A few high-energy or sharp-elbowed get to use what's available and the rest have to wait for a turn that never comes. I've observed this with boys and I expect similar results in a mixed group of boys and girls.
The second point may not be something everyone agrees with, but split the classes by gender. Anathema to liberals who think everything would work out 50-50, plus the whole transgender issue I haven't figured out for this discussion, but without gender bias there can be a lot more engagement by female students.
The second point may not be something everyone agrees with, but split the classes by gender. Anathema to liberals who think everything would work out 50-50, plus the whole transgender issue I haven't figured out for this discussion, but without gender bias there can be a lot more engagement by female students.
8
Just FYI, there are lots of "liberals" who support same-sex (same-gender) education. Check out a few women's colleges, if you don't believe me. As we used to say at Smith, "Better dead than co-ed."
More expensive toys is not the only thing.
I have spent the last two weeks volunteering in holiday program childcare.
I observe the most smiles when kids are just hanging out interacting with each other - often making up imaginary games - 'OK - now you stand over there - and I'll be ...' - relaxed, happy, smiles all around.
I observe the smile disappear off faces when computer games are allowed - maybe max. 4 player arcade games - 4-6 other kids have to sit and wait and hope for a turn, and/or complain that someone else is hogging their turn. That's not enjoying sharing - it's just 'Me! Me! Me!'
Today - on a hot summer's day birthday party in a park - I brought a $1 empty trigger-spray bottle and filled it with water from the tap - flushed with heat, I sprayed my skin for instant cool and went around offering the same to others - pretty soon, the kids had discovered it and spent the next half-hour loving it, and taking turns to spray each other - total cost $0 - they gave it back to me at the end - everybody happy - minimum cost, maximum fun.
I have spent the last two weeks volunteering in holiday program childcare.
I observe the most smiles when kids are just hanging out interacting with each other - often making up imaginary games - 'OK - now you stand over there - and I'll be ...' - relaxed, happy, smiles all around.
I observe the smile disappear off faces when computer games are allowed - maybe max. 4 player arcade games - 4-6 other kids have to sit and wait and hope for a turn, and/or complain that someone else is hogging their turn. That's not enjoying sharing - it's just 'Me! Me! Me!'
Today - on a hot summer's day birthday party in a park - I brought a $1 empty trigger-spray bottle and filled it with water from the tap - flushed with heat, I sprayed my skin for instant cool and went around offering the same to others - pretty soon, the kids had discovered it and spent the next half-hour loving it, and taking turns to spray each other - total cost $0 - they gave it back to me at the end - everybody happy - minimum cost, maximum fun.
6
Would you also say split by race? Back to segregation? I don't think so. All girls aren't the same, nor or all boys. How do you think males and females will learn to work together, live together? Don't allow your daughters to be passive, teach them to assert themselves. And teach your sons to be considerate of others.
1
When I was a kid growing up in the sixties, I learned from my parents that I was a "silly little goose," that I "would never amount to a hill of beans," and that I "was too smart for my own good." Rather a contradictory message. I was supposed to be smart, but not smart enough to figure out what was really going on and so question the status quo. But back then, the highest that a woman was allowed to climb was by being a sales clerk, bookkeeper, secretary, nurse or a teacher. There was little to motivate her to even try to become a CEO, an accountant, an engineer, a doctor, a lawyer or a scientist. And even though times have changed for the better, and "nerd-boys" are more readily accepted (thanks, Bill Gates!) by Society at Large, "nerd-girls" are either invisible or belittled and mocked in popular culture, and it still doesn't pay for a girl to be too smart.
26
When I was a child growing up in the 60s, in Ireland, I wanted to be an astronaut, a pilot or a scientist - like my Dad. Because I went to a single-sex school taught exclusively by female teachers (mainly nuns), it never occurred to me that I would be less smart than boys. Both my parents helped me with my maths homework. My godmother bought me biographies of Amelia Earhart and Marie Curie for my birthday, and Grace O'Malley, an Irish warrior queen, was an historical heroine. I read books by Enid Blyton, and George (a girl) was my hero in her stories. When I was 7, my Dad brought me home a nurse's outfit for my birthday present. I threw a tantrum and demanded a cowboy outfit instead - my mother duly sent him down to the toyshop to exchange it. I grew up to study Computer Science in the late '70s, and worked for IBM and other software companies as an IT architect- and I am heterosexual. Of course, with parental and school support such as I had, and not much in the way of cultural stereotypes other than that the Irish Mammy (mother) ruled the roost, there was nothing to sway my quiet self-confidence. I can never, ever remember thinking that, as a girl, my horizons were limited, even in conservative Catholic Ireland. I was the eldest - with 6 younger brothers, which may have helped! It paid for this girl to be smart - and there is no such thing as being 'too smart' - sad that you would think so. I hope your daughters (if any) have broken out of that self-defeating mindset.
7
I have a 4 year old and I'm worried that because she's a girl and black she will eventually see herself as less smart and capable and it's not society as a whole that has me worried (yeah I'm still worried). It's school. I think it's no coincidence that girls start feeling this way after they've had a couple of years in our school system. I think teachers and how our schools are structured often unknowingly reinforce stereotypes.
43
We have three adult children and six grandchildren. We have seen stereotypes emerge, without apparent parent (or grandparent) prodding. Just watch little kids at a birthday party. The little girls are well behaved, while the boys are on a mini-rampage. Each is comfortable with his or her ethos.
10
I kinda think it's the household:
Parent to son: C'mon son, you can do better than that. You're smart.
Parent to daughter: wow, honey,that's terrific. Thank you that is so nice
Point being - nice is not all bad from a 6 yr olds point of view
Parent to son: C'mon son, you can do better than that. You're smart.
Parent to daughter: wow, honey,that's terrific. Thank you that is so nice
Point being - nice is not all bad from a 6 yr olds point of view
3
"What is to be done? Research provides some clues. The psychologist Carol Dweck has written that emphasizing the importance of learning and effort — rather than just innate ability — for success in any career might buffer girls against these stereotypes."
At a time when women make up almost 60% of college students and are a majority getting most advanced degrees (including medicine and law), it seems puzzling to me to read this column. If girls place more importance on "learning and effort" that is not a problem for them but an advantage. Except for a very small number of exceptionally gifted people, effort is almost always more important. If boys are taught to depend on their gifts, that is not something that will give them an edge over girls, but rather a likely misleading belief that will lead to disappointment and may help explain why boys are far more likely to turn to drugs and violence and suicide.
At a time when women make up almost 60% of college students and are a majority getting most advanced degrees (including medicine and law), it seems puzzling to me to read this column. If girls place more importance on "learning and effort" that is not a problem for them but an advantage. Except for a very small number of exceptionally gifted people, effort is almost always more important. If boys are taught to depend on their gifts, that is not something that will give them an edge over girls, but rather a likely misleading belief that will lead to disappointment and may help explain why boys are far more likely to turn to drugs and violence and suicide.
21
I am confused also. Is Carol implying that boys have more of an innate ability and the only way for women to catch up is through learning and effort? What are they trying to say here?
Hard work is an important ethos for all, and most especially for the gifted and the good test takers. Many wither on the vine, because they depend on quickness or memory. When confronted with tasks that are extremely complex or require synthesis of multiple facts or perspectives and creation based on evidence, they often fall apart. It is a myth that the gifted don't have exert intellectual effort to achieve results worthy of their potential.
1
Our boys fall further and further behind in school, and go on to get only 40% of college degrees. Boys drop out of school more, get kicked out of school more, and according to the National Suicide Hotline, commit suicide 4 times as often as girls.
How about the same kind of energy helping boys catch up in school as we--quite rightly-- put behind helping girls catch up a generation ago? We're still helping girls, but it's now our boys who are behind in school.
How about the same kind of energy helping boys catch up in school as we--quite rightly-- put behind helping girls catch up a generation ago? We're still helping girls, but it's now our boys who are behind in school.
27
Totally different reasons. Boys today goof off all the time. They don't read. The ones who pay attention in school do great.
5
I think what this article isn't saying is that the view that your abilities are innate and static ("I'm brilliant", "I'm a genius") are damaging. If boys see themselves as brilliant, then why don't they succeed? Because it's not helpful. There is a passing note about Carl Dweck's work on emphasizing learning and effort, and this is WHY girls succeed. Boys don't because they view their abilities as static and innate. In my opinion, the more valuable article would be about this rather than another tired plea to help girls who are doing just fine.
3
Any marketer for baby items has known for decades that gender stereotypes emerge early and influence the interests of parents and children. I am not sure this is worthy of being called “research” at all. Articles like these often only perpetuate stereotypes rather than actually critiquing them. Even my high school teachers would have given me an earful had I handed in such “research” … and it’s disturbing to see this being deemed NYT worthy material.
10
This research presents evidence and pegs it to a young age, for a phenomenon that you can easily demonstrate to yourself. If you free associate to the word 'genius', and if you make a list of who Western culture has labeled (socially constructed) as a genius, who is on your list? White males predominate. Einstein comes to mind right away. Chomsky, Freud and other men as well. You might get Madame Curie and George Washington Carver. The word 'genius' seems to refer narrowly to a well-known scientist or knowledge producer. What other social practices teach us to associate the meaning of 'genius' with males? Gender research shows that language use in educational practices shows educators favoring and rewarding males for being smart or eager learners. Classroom teachers have been shown to call on boys first, expand on and reward their answers more, allow boys to shout answers out,etc. To change the status quo, step 1 is to pay attention to see this happening. The changes that are needed will come from changing these mostly unseen, implicit educational and social practices.
11
You are absolutely wrong. Good research suggests female teachers (vast majority in US) dismiss boys because their style of learning and elevated physical restlessness are foreign to female teachers (not to mention aggravating, perhaps). Boys are graded harsher,are suspended more, drop out of high school more, and now compose barely 35% of college admissions.
I don't find it surprising that, by age 6, girls recognize that "doing better in school" isn't a very good barometer of intellect. Their relatively well-developed social intuition (and general intelligence!) makes it apparent that following rules, sitting quietly, and fulfilling expectations correlate closely with good grades in most schools. So, I wouldn't put too much weight on this particular criterion when determining why young girls tend, erroneously, to think of themselves as less intellectually able than boys.
7
"What is to be done?" Indicating, as the researcher has, that something needs to be done to "solve" this problem, is an indicator of bias.
9
The next Einstein is statistically most likely to be a girl, black or hispanic. And therefore will not reach his/her full potential.
2
Einstein succeeded despite being jewish in Germany before the second world war - an extremely difficult predicament. So if a girl, black or hispanic is truly genius, they will find a way to reach their full potential
1
Larry Summers, when he was President of Harvard, pointed out that men greatly outnumber women at both the very bottom end of the intelligence scale and the very top (in each case three or four standard deviations from the mean). He then said that Harvard recruits its scientific and mathematics professors from the latter group and so it is not surprising that they are mostly men. Of course, the feminists went berserk and had him removed from the Harvard presidency. They might have wanted also to do some physical alterations on him.
8
If you are an senior academic you know there are many reasons why the women are underrepresented at the top levels that have absolutely nothing to do with inherent ability, hard work or talent...Larry Summers had to go because his statement indicated that he was intellectually unqualified for his position.
6
In the past, there have been IQ tests that "prove" blacks and Jews are mentally inferior, or Asians superior, or Caucasians "just right." Closer investigation generally shows the tests are skewed, consciously or unconsciously, to favor the group in power. In the same way, I'd find those "facts" about outlying males being 3-4 standard deviations smarter than females, is likely untrue, given neutral IQ tests.
As to whether males are more often outliers at the other end of the scale, well, males are the more fragile sex, aren't they? Go look at mortality rates for infants. That's baked into the genes. Women have a genetic redundancy that males do not. So if more male infants die, likely more male infants are also subtly mentally challenged than female infants?
Larry showed a failure to think critically about his intelligence statement. And a failure to think about the social repercussions for doing so. Not too bright.
As to whether males are more often outliers at the other end of the scale, well, males are the more fragile sex, aren't they? Go look at mortality rates for infants. That's baked into the genes. Women have a genetic redundancy that males do not. So if more male infants die, likely more male infants are also subtly mentally challenged than female infants?
Larry showed a failure to think critically about his intelligence statement. And a failure to think about the social repercussions for doing so. Not too bright.
3
It's really really important that little girls are exposed to geometric and spatial games like legos, boardgames, chess, early on. The brain gets wired to then be able to solve those puzzles easily.
This is why boys get an advantage on spatial reasoning as they get older.
My uncle taught me chess when I was 7 (I think out of loneliness). And I ended up being a computer scientist and find maps and spatial reasoning super easy.
This is why boys get an advantage on spatial reasoning as they get older.
My uncle taught me chess when I was 7 (I think out of loneliness). And I ended up being a computer scientist and find maps and spatial reasoning super easy.
33
Yours is the most significant comment so far. All human babies are born "premature" because our human brains (and therefore our heads) became too large for the birth canal - so the neurological and physiological development of our offspring must continue in the years following birth. This formational development is literally dependent upon the environment in which the child finds themselves. This is THE adaptation that has made us the most dominant species on the planet.
In environments in which boys alone engage in rigorous movements (that allow full development of hand-eye and mental coordination) and opportunities to experiment with spatial reasoning (cause and effect, if/then relationships, honing the skill sets of executive functioning) they alone will excel in the complexities of adult life (regardless of field). The more these experiences (critical to brain development) are open to everyone -regardless of sex, the more prevalent they become in the population. The same is true for opportunities for optimal social intelligence (taking initiative, engaging in leadership roles, accurate assessments and perceptions, creative problem solving, kindness, and so on). The opposite is also true. Early exposure, during sensitive periods of development, is critical.
Which is why tests of the past do not give us an accurate picture of human possibility. It explains why women are making progress now, and how to close the achievement gap for minorities in the future.
In environments in which boys alone engage in rigorous movements (that allow full development of hand-eye and mental coordination) and opportunities to experiment with spatial reasoning (cause and effect, if/then relationships, honing the skill sets of executive functioning) they alone will excel in the complexities of adult life (regardless of field). The more these experiences (critical to brain development) are open to everyone -regardless of sex, the more prevalent they become in the population. The same is true for opportunities for optimal social intelligence (taking initiative, engaging in leadership roles, accurate assessments and perceptions, creative problem solving, kindness, and so on). The opposite is also true. Early exposure, during sensitive periods of development, is critical.
Which is why tests of the past do not give us an accurate picture of human possibility. It explains why women are making progress now, and how to close the achievement gap for minorities in the future.
1
So true! Girls are encouraged to dress, organize and arrange things; boys are encouraged to build and explore. I plan on giving my grand daughter blocks and legos early on, clay and puzzles, things on wheels, things that fly. Sure, she'll have a doll house - but we'll build it together.
There's perception and then there's reality. Whatever the perception found by the researchers, the reality is -- as was pointed out in the article -- that girls do better in school. I also believe they're making up the majority of undergraduate and graduate students, which means, considering the need for a higher education in our evolving workplace, women will outpace men in terms of income. Women also make up at least half of all students in medical schools. So, I wonder what the researchers would say about how their experimental results contrast with what's really happening.
14
The problem with articles like these is that they assume all is naturally equal. They give no reason to believe that the girls feel the way they do because of societal conditioning rather than something innate. I'm not saying that women aren't as smart naturally, I'm saying that needs to be explicitly explained. There are real actual physical differences between the two genders, and maybe this is one or maybe it isn't, but either way, it is a critical component of this research/analysis. If the same thing was done about athletic ability, it would seem absurd to assume that women aren't as good at basketball (to pick an example) purely due to cultural norms. That's baked right into our DNA. And to turn it around, why is beauty seen as so terrible? In many species one gender possesses it (Peacock and Peahen) because reproduction is literally the most important thing a species can do for its own survival. This is an issue of scientific integrity with respect to confounding variables. Surely there are cultures different enough from ours that allow us to isolate nature from nurture. And if that has been done and there are no inherent differences for this specific topic, explain that explicitly. When another reader pointed out IQ distribution, we as readers cannot determine the chicken or egg of those results because the underlying assumptions are not laid out and examined. And with this essay, we cannot determine the validity of your conclusions. Assumptions need explanations.
5
Two words, Disney Princesses.
44
A paper in Science (I speak as a scientist) does not necessarily means it is true. As a molecular biologist I found the study flawed and accepted because stirring citations. To say that a game is for smart kids, for instance, and make girls bored, may simply mean they re not interested to the competition, or less ready to be manipulated, it has nothing to do with they thinking they are dull, or science. Indeed psychology is not science.
12
Stefano: "Indeed psychology is not science."
...yes, it is.
...yes, it is.
6
@S. Reader: it might be more accurate to say it is a "soft science" and there the rub. Stuff like psychology and economics are not "hard sciences" dealing strictly in math, chemistry, reproducible results. They are mostly about opinion and feelings. Because a psychology study sets up "tests" and collects "data" does not actually mean they are using real science or provable facts; so often they are simply setting up devices where their EXISTING beliefs are underscored. For example, in this article, so-called "social scientists" designed a study to "prove" girls were treated unfairly, because it dovetails with existing feminist beliefs and liberal agenda.
"They are mostly about opinion and feelings."
No, they're not.
Why are you demeaning the expertise of scientists in a field you clearly know nothing about?
No, they're not.
Why are you demeaning the expertise of scientists in a field you clearly know nothing about?
2
'They were told that one was about a “really, really smart” person, and the other was about a “really, really nice” person. Next, the children were shown four pictures (two males and two females) and were asked to guess which one might be the person in the story.'
I have long been bothered by this form of psychological "experiment." I've seen it reported in so many aspects of stereotype detection: "which of these people looks..." 'more presidental' or 'more honest' or 'kind, generous, smart,' and so on.
Maybe the 5 year olds know better than the psychologists (and the 6 year olds) because they KNOW BETTER than to ascribe such characteristics to photographs!
I have long been bothered by this form of psychological "experiment." I've seen it reported in so many aspects of stereotype detection: "which of these people looks..." 'more presidental' or 'more honest' or 'kind, generous, smart,' and so on.
Maybe the 5 year olds know better than the psychologists (and the 6 year olds) because they KNOW BETTER than to ascribe such characteristics to photographs!
5
Because it's not about science, in the sense of reproducible results, or hard numbers, or chemistry or math.
It's all about lefty liberalism, feminism -- opinion. The researchers want o "prove" that their political beliefs MUST be correct. They set up a fake experiment and then slanted the results, to get the data that would be popular and approved.
I mean SERIOUSLY folks: what establishes "really really smart" and "really rally nice"? You don't think those children heard the tone of voice of the researcher or person assigned to ask the questions? Saw the expression in their eyes? Figured out what response would bring a smile vs. a harsh nod of the head? Children are much smarter than researchers realize!
It's all about lefty liberalism, feminism -- opinion. The researchers want o "prove" that their political beliefs MUST be correct. They set up a fake experiment and then slanted the results, to get the data that would be popular and approved.
I mean SERIOUSLY folks: what establishes "really really smart" and "really rally nice"? You don't think those children heard the tone of voice of the researcher or person assigned to ask the questions? Saw the expression in their eyes? Figured out what response would bring a smile vs. a harsh nod of the head? Children are much smarter than researchers realize!
1
Tell the idiot tester what the tester wants to hear, and you get the gold star. Smart children of both genders like to win, and smart children of both genders can figure out very fast what is considered a proper answer.
All children should be encouraged to reach her or his potential. Children are unique little individuals and should be given useful help, not bleating platitudes.
All children should be encouraged to reach her or his potential. Children are unique little individuals and should be given useful help, not bleating platitudes.
1
"This is all about blaming men for everything."
"This is anti-men."
No.
This is about women wanting to be treated as equals. As complex human beings. Not as objects. Not as pawns.
If you can't handle that point without getting defensive, you're not really listening.
"This is anti-men."
No.
This is about women wanting to be treated as equals. As complex human beings. Not as objects. Not as pawns.
If you can't handle that point without getting defensive, you're not really listening.
52
Boys drop out of school far more than girls, and are kicked out far more often. They go on to get only 40% of college degrees. Our boys need help too.
They also, by the way, commit suicide 4 times as much as our girls, according to the National Suicide Hotline.
That's not being defensive. that's telling the truth. You can look it up.
They also, by the way, commit suicide 4 times as much as our girls, according to the National Suicide Hotline.
That's not being defensive. that's telling the truth. You can look it up.
11
As a man reading this, I get a distinct sense that my gender and my mere existence is not particularly desirable.
1
Some people lash out when they feel they have been injured.
This piec was puzzling to read. I am the father of 3 girls in elementary school, each of whom is doing very well academically and socially. My wife and I definitely subscribe to the "work hard" school of thought. Setting that aside, for the moment, I am not sure what the real point of the article is. By definition, the vast majority of people aren't brilliant; they're centered around average. To succeed in life, one needs to be good at something, and often this requires hard work less than brilliance. As the authors point out, girls already do better than boys in school, and I personally think that schools are skewed to be somewhat inhospitable to boys by cutting down on physical activity in favor of class time.
So, with girls doing better in school, graduating at higher rates, and finally making real inroads into historically male-dominated fields, I am simply not concerned about my girls' futures, regardless of who is perceived to be brilliant. I am concerned, however, about a generation of lost boys poorly served by schools who may be ill suited to thrive in an economy moving towards more mechanization. Who will my future sons-in law be?
So, with girls doing better in school, graduating at higher rates, and finally making real inroads into historically male-dominated fields, I am simply not concerned about my girls' futures, regardless of who is perceived to be brilliant. I am concerned, however, about a generation of lost boys poorly served by schools who may be ill suited to thrive in an economy moving towards more mechanization. Who will my future sons-in law be?
32
I work in engineering, and sadly, I have seen overt and very subtle bias against women. The point is that they are not treated the same as the men. The men are regarded as being more brilliant, and having better ideas than the women, and I have seen women managers have those same biases. This allows the men to progress farther and faster than the women. The men get invited to the important meetings, present before the customers, they get the better assignments. There is a glass ceiling. Does this just happen? There are stereotypes. You know it. Women are judged on their physical appearance. Men too, but that is less important particularly if you show some "brilliance". To what extent did stereotypes even affect this last election. Even if you can question the particulars of a particular study, you should at least be concerned that there really isn't a level playing field out there.
57
Talk to your daughters in 30 years, when they are in the middle of their careers. Or talk to your wife, sister, female friends and colleagues.
Women may be more common than men at the undergraduate and graduate level education and even entry-level positions in different fields but once you start looking at who runs and makes decisions for the universities, government, medical centers, etc. you will see that it is dominated by men. Now it's one thing to PREFER to stay at a low-level position (that's a choice some people take) but it's when women are interested in and try to claim power that one starts to see prejudice show through. I say this as someone who in my teens and 20s did not understand what the fuss was about but now in my 30s and 40s, having served on various Boards and influential groups, can see where women are discriminated against. A clear example was when I was offered a lower salary than a male colleague who had less experience/ knowledge than me and whom I helped train. I had to advocate for myself and got that fixed. Another example is having to prove myself over and over again versus some men who are just "assumed" by others to be competent even though they turn out to be unreliable and not very good at what they are tasked with.
Women may be more common than men at the undergraduate and graduate level education and even entry-level positions in different fields but once you start looking at who runs and makes decisions for the universities, government, medical centers, etc. you will see that it is dominated by men. Now it's one thing to PREFER to stay at a low-level position (that's a choice some people take) but it's when women are interested in and try to claim power that one starts to see prejudice show through. I say this as someone who in my teens and 20s did not understand what the fuss was about but now in my 30s and 40s, having served on various Boards and influential groups, can see where women are discriminated against. A clear example was when I was offered a lower salary than a male colleague who had less experience/ knowledge than me and whom I helped train. I had to advocate for myself and got that fixed. Another example is having to prove myself over and over again versus some men who are just "assumed" by others to be competent even though they turn out to be unreliable and not very good at what they are tasked with.
5
I completely agree--exactly the same in medical schools and academic research.
2
Harry Potter really needs to be called "Hermione Granger: The Witch Who Saved the Wizarding World by Working Tireless with Some Help from her Two Lazy Friends"
(disclaimer: I love the Harry Potter series)
(disclaimer: I love the Harry Potter series)
26
Tirelessly*
2
When I did Engineering in Computer Science in India, no one thought I would be in anyway intellectually inferior, because I am female.
Coming to grad school in the states, I taught Intro to Programming throughout my Master's studies. It made a great deal of difference to my students both male and female to have me up there teaching.
As a teacher I saw immediately what was so easy and fun for me, was perceived to be very hard and daunting by the incoming students. It was a societal preconception. When I taught with that understanding and showed that programming can be as easy and fun as giving driving directions or writing a recipe out (for the procedural part), building their confidence up, their ability to learn and program and their enjoyment of the subject went up.
My thesis ended up about the psychology of programming. Unfortunately I was discouraged by my female thesis advisor from incorporating the gender element into the study (although I had collected data, for I could see that the effect was most prominent with the female students in experience) as it might be "too controversial and too soft". As I had only been in the states for such a short time then, I did not push it through.
As a doctoral student, after a few years, one day I caught myself sounding all ditzy (I was only on the 97% percentile on GREs), I realised if enough people treat you like an idiot, you end up acting like one...such is the subliminal nature of this insidious business.
Coming to grad school in the states, I taught Intro to Programming throughout my Master's studies. It made a great deal of difference to my students both male and female to have me up there teaching.
As a teacher I saw immediately what was so easy and fun for me, was perceived to be very hard and daunting by the incoming students. It was a societal preconception. When I taught with that understanding and showed that programming can be as easy and fun as giving driving directions or writing a recipe out (for the procedural part), building their confidence up, their ability to learn and program and their enjoyment of the subject went up.
My thesis ended up about the psychology of programming. Unfortunately I was discouraged by my female thesis advisor from incorporating the gender element into the study (although I had collected data, for I could see that the effect was most prominent with the female students in experience) as it might be "too controversial and too soft". As I had only been in the states for such a short time then, I did not push it through.
As a doctoral student, after a few years, one day I caught myself sounding all ditzy (I was only on the 97% percentile on GREs), I realised if enough people treat you like an idiot, you end up acting like one...such is the subliminal nature of this insidious business.
67
As a woman in America if you don't learn to "sound ditzy" you will struggle to be hired, once hired you'll struggle to be promoted, and as you make your way in your career you will alienate many, both male and female, who perceive you to be too hard, too aggressive, too full of yourself, too fill-in-the-blank. Just using the speech patterns and vocabulary of an educated adult is enough to set alarm bells ringing, which is why you hear so many smart women in business sounding like middle school girls in the cafeteria line at school.
27
Amanda, you are so right. I have not seen this written about much. It is very disturbing. In corporate America, I'm surrounded by grown women acting like gushing, blushing, over-excited tweens. Exclamation points and smiley faces all over their emails. Obsequious and enthusiastic responses to tiny requests. Just ditsy.
It was not this way in the 90s but even then professional women had to be "nice" first, then competent. The teenage behavior of adult women has gotten worse over the years, causing me to feel embarrassed to be a woman.
Also of note, the nicer they are and the more exclamation points in their emails, often the more apt they are to backstab you--especially if they're trying to cover up incompetence.
I think education needs to emphasize critical thought over "trying hard" in school. The latter can produce an army of ditsy rule followers, not likely to develop any native brilliance. Most of the "girls" I work with are good rule followers and not interested in debating finer points or exploring counter arguments or questioning underlying premises. Brilliance requires all those things.
Yet, they do have a kind of silly-acting smartness that comes out in rapid-fire speech and a tumble of words that smooths things over and persuades, but has very little substance. The men, especially those in technical positions, are much more grown up in their behavior--friendly but not effusive, open to questioning assumptions. I would prefer to be seen as one of them.
It was not this way in the 90s but even then professional women had to be "nice" first, then competent. The teenage behavior of adult women has gotten worse over the years, causing me to feel embarrassed to be a woman.
Also of note, the nicer they are and the more exclamation points in their emails, often the more apt they are to backstab you--especially if they're trying to cover up incompetence.
I think education needs to emphasize critical thought over "trying hard" in school. The latter can produce an army of ditsy rule followers, not likely to develop any native brilliance. Most of the "girls" I work with are good rule followers and not interested in debating finer points or exploring counter arguments or questioning underlying premises. Brilliance requires all those things.
Yet, they do have a kind of silly-acting smartness that comes out in rapid-fire speech and a tumble of words that smooths things over and persuades, but has very little substance. The men, especially those in technical positions, are much more grown up in their behavior--friendly but not effusive, open to questioning assumptions. I would prefer to be seen as one of them.
3
sigh... :(
My problem wiht this report is common to public reports of scientific studies. It is the problem of just saying "more" or "less" without specifying numbers. For example, how big are the differences in choosing boys over girls in estimating who is 'brilliant' or 'smart' - is it a very small difference (eg 2%) or a large difference (eg two-fold).
5
The authors fail to touch upon whether or not this "smartness' phenomenon is strictly American, or worldwide. Such perspective would be important in interpreting the effect of culture vs. simply gender differences.
6
And if you had that information, how would that help you evaluate whether is was culture or gender differences? Other than genitalia, and size, what gender differences (I assume you mean genetically based) can you absolutely identify?
Iceland is the counterexample. Girls are thought to be better than boys at math - and so they are. There are plenty of "expectation" studies - e.g. in one study a group of men and women are told that men and women do equally well at a particular task. And then they do. Another group of men and women is told that men do better. And in the subsequent task the men do better. The point is, we can't as a society afford to throw away the majority of our people's potential by telling them they are dumb.
2
"we found that women are underrepresented in fields thought to require brilliance – fields that include some of the most prestigious careers in our society, such as those in science and engineering."
Part of the problem we're facing here too are the careers we associate with "genius." All things being equal they are careers that involve money or glory or both. In the 21st century "genius" is almost inevitably involved with technology. So Zuckerberg and Gates and Elon Musk etc. are "geniuses."
Why aren't parents Googling "is my son a brilliant dancer [poet, oboist]"? Because these jobs may involve genius, but they make no money. Men have learned from men (but mostly from women) that what matters is money. So men, understandably, respond to the message women send: money matters.
We can change this stereotype--of the genius man and the beautiful woman--but only if we begin to change how we relate gender and money. Until we break our sexist associations of men and money this stereotype will persist.
Part of the problem we're facing here too are the careers we associate with "genius." All things being equal they are careers that involve money or glory or both. In the 21st century "genius" is almost inevitably involved with technology. So Zuckerberg and Gates and Elon Musk etc. are "geniuses."
Why aren't parents Googling "is my son a brilliant dancer [poet, oboist]"? Because these jobs may involve genius, but they make no money. Men have learned from men (but mostly from women) that what matters is money. So men, understandably, respond to the message women send: money matters.
We can change this stereotype--of the genius man and the beautiful woman--but only if we begin to change how we relate gender and money. Until we break our sexist associations of men and money this stereotype will persist.
12
What is interesting is that even in art forms that are predominately female (like dance), the most renowned choreographers are men. Most symphony conductors are men too. Cooking is a traditionally female activity but the greatest chefs are men. This idea of male "brilliance" permeates every field.
19
don't forget writing: Journaling is seen as a girl's hobby, and likewise it's imagined to be cute, frivolous, and altogether inconsequential...(the fact that there have been so many brilliantly-written diaries by girls and women, as well as memoirs, that have been published and widely acclaimed and yet that stereotype persists is telling...) but writing "brilliant" books, novels, and so on is seen as the tortured genius writer's domain, and he is undoubtedly male in most people's minds.
same goes for art... abstract expressionism had dozens of female adherents in the 1950s yet , of course, Jackson Pollock's style of painting overtook everything else, with it instantly becoming admired for the supposedly "macho" gestures captured on canvas
I find the observation interesting that girls know that they see girls as academically successful as boys (fact), but buy into the stereotype that they are not as naturally smart or capable. Despite having facts that they are just as good, they do not believe in themselves.
For those saying that women are complaining and being dainty snowflakes, no one is complaining. Facts are being presented. Solutions are being suggested. I agree with the authors that there is a problem if half of the world thinks that they are not as good as the other half. This is a problem for everyone.
The daughter of a friend at about the age of 8 asked here mother (a PhD biologist) if only women could be scientists as that was what she had observed. No one is asking for exceptional accommodations. Some roll models in children's stories would be nice.
In addition to the stories brought up in this article, think of stories that we tell children like Beauty and the Beast. If only she would love him more, he would stop yelling at her and abusing her. Girls should wait to be rescued by princes. Both girls and boys internalize those messages. We need to provide them with other strong messages.
For those saying that women are complaining and being dainty snowflakes, no one is complaining. Facts are being presented. Solutions are being suggested. I agree with the authors that there is a problem if half of the world thinks that they are not as good as the other half. This is a problem for everyone.
The daughter of a friend at about the age of 8 asked here mother (a PhD biologist) if only women could be scientists as that was what she had observed. No one is asking for exceptional accommodations. Some roll models in children's stories would be nice.
In addition to the stories brought up in this article, think of stories that we tell children like Beauty and the Beast. If only she would love him more, he would stop yelling at her and abusing her. Girls should wait to be rescued by princes. Both girls and boys internalize those messages. We need to provide them with other strong messages.
9
If you believe that about fairy tales, then you don't understand them at all. I suggest you read Bruno Bettelheim's "The Uses of Enchantment".
I was one of those gifted female children, born in 1960. But my father greatly supported and influenced me, and it wasn't until I was out of high school and in the workforce that I started to hide my gifts, because it was clear all they were doing was causing resentment in my coworkers. Prior to that, and being that I was young, I was constantly irked with my fellow female students who believed being pretty and excelling in cheerleading was far more important then excelling in studies, and since I was good in math, and nobody considered that something to cheer about, I was primarily an ostracized nerd, which did nothing to help my social growth as a person.
For a while, when computers started to become ubiquitous on every desk. I was able to shine again...until the world decided that anyone in a skilled and female-dominated role such as mine -- administrative -- should not need any such skills beyond typing, and slowly I was forced into roles with more menial titles, even though I was increasingly doing so-called professional work with databases and development. I finally returned to school and earned a college degree, apparently so I can do this same damn work at two or more times the pay, while my male colleagues are compensated significantly more than myself for the same effort. Ahh, true recognition at last.
For a while, when computers started to become ubiquitous on every desk. I was able to shine again...until the world decided that anyone in a skilled and female-dominated role such as mine -- administrative -- should not need any such skills beyond typing, and slowly I was forced into roles with more menial titles, even though I was increasingly doing so-called professional work with databases and development. I finally returned to school and earned a college degree, apparently so I can do this same damn work at two or more times the pay, while my male colleagues are compensated significantly more than myself for the same effort. Ahh, true recognition at last.
17
If you were born in 1960...you grew up as a teen right in the heart of the 1970s feminism! You would have read Ms Magazine, heard Gloria Steinem on TV and benefitted from Title IV. You would have gone to college -- had you gone -- in 1978 or so, when women's studies and affirmative action for women abounded. Yet your story implies you became....a secretary. Why? because you'd been "a nerd" in high school? Probably 1 in 4 kids in some sort of nerd! (male & female!)
A girl who was good in math, and excelled in school, yes, even 40 years ago, would have had a path ahead of her of huge potential in a dozen or more fields, from mathematics, science, engineering, medicine, architecture -- yet YOU choose to be a clerk-typist and only returned to school for a degree in your 20s (or later).
How is this "the fault of the patriarchy"? I say this as a fellow woman, just a few years older than you! It's not as if you were born in 1910 or 1930 or even 1950! A woman born in 1960 had the whole world open to her. It is not the fault of society that you refused to take advantage of this for so many years.
A girl who was good in math, and excelled in school, yes, even 40 years ago, would have had a path ahead of her of huge potential in a dozen or more fields, from mathematics, science, engineering, medicine, architecture -- yet YOU choose to be a clerk-typist and only returned to school for a degree in your 20s (or later).
How is this "the fault of the patriarchy"? I say this as a fellow woman, just a few years older than you! It's not as if you were born in 1910 or 1930 or even 1950! A woman born in 1960 had the whole world open to her. It is not the fault of society that you refused to take advantage of this for so many years.
Read it a little more carefully, she went to work directly after high school. Apparently she either needed to earn the money to go to college, or she had a family and had to fit in college classes, but she was aware of what was happening and continued her education when it became possible.
In 1978, college required piles of money. If you are supporting yourself, you can't always do what you want to do when you want to do it.
I am sure there are many men who have had to do the same thing.
It is much easier to continue school when mommy and daddy are paying for it; then the whole world really is immediately open to you
In 1978, college required piles of money. If you are supporting yourself, you can't always do what you want to do when you want to do it.
I am sure there are many men who have had to do the same thing.
It is much easier to continue school when mommy and daddy are paying for it; then the whole world really is immediately open to you
2
Gender bias persistent in our culture seems to mutate like a virus when confronted.
Intelligence or smarts is widely degraded and mocked in the US, so not much surprise that it's not seen as a desirable trait for either gender.
Sport jock! Yes! Your son or daughter can be a hero!
Nerd? No thanks...... Not interested in having a nerdling offspring.
Worse for girls? Maybe, but as noted more women than men attend college and even female athletes perform OVERWHELMINGLY better than male counterparts.
I ve witnessed this for decades. What I see is the more educated parents want their daughters to be as educated as much as sons if not more.
Intelligence or smarts is widely degraded and mocked in the US, so not much surprise that it's not seen as a desirable trait for either gender.
Sport jock! Yes! Your son or daughter can be a hero!
Nerd? No thanks...... Not interested in having a nerdling offspring.
Worse for girls? Maybe, but as noted more women than men attend college and even female athletes perform OVERWHELMINGLY better than male counterparts.
I ve witnessed this for decades. What I see is the more educated parents want their daughters to be as educated as much as sons if not more.
4
I really hope these pernicious stereotypes change, because there are days when the only realistic future you can imagine for your son is that he’ll marry well, preferably to a rich doctor in Nassau County, who’ll take care of him.
3
These statistics make me physically ill. This needs to be fixed.
Maybe one way to help address the issue is to stop the War on Little Girls by probably very well-meaning parents - many of whom I encountered in Southern California, the Bay Area, and Fairfield County - who tell their daughters to "ask your father" for help with their math and science homework.
If perceptions of brilliance are tied to science and engineering as this article states, maybe we can find a place to start to fix this problem. There are too few, but there are a lot of women in these fields and many more undergraduates and graduate students working their way in that direction. Many of them were exposed to the same cultural biases as those discussed here. How did they do it? For starters I'll bet Mom wasn't afraid of math!
Maybe one way to help address the issue is to stop the War on Little Girls by probably very well-meaning parents - many of whom I encountered in Southern California, the Bay Area, and Fairfield County - who tell their daughters to "ask your father" for help with their math and science homework.
If perceptions of brilliance are tied to science and engineering as this article states, maybe we can find a place to start to fix this problem. There are too few, but there are a lot of women in these fields and many more undergraduates and graduate students working their way in that direction. Many of them were exposed to the same cultural biases as those discussed here. How did they do it? For starters I'll bet Mom wasn't afraid of math!
6
I got the "Go to your stepfather for help with math" speech. The problem was that my stepfather was an engineer, and not a math teacher. What was obvious to him was not obvious to me, and as far as I was concerned, he skipped several crucial steps in his explanations. (This seems to be fairly common in math teachers, too, by the way.) This resulted in his getting very impatient with me for being "stupid." Not the best scenario for teaching anyone math, and I developed a huge case of math anxiety. This did not abate until I took a required statistics class in graduate school. (I'd avoided any semblance of math as an undergraduate.) There I had a wonderful male teacher who understood math anxiety and did not call us names. (The class was predominantly female.) And, more importantly, he did not skip steps. I made an "A," the only "A" I have ever made in anything math-related.
5
"The psychologist Carol Dweck has written that emphasizing the importance of learning and effort — rather than just innate ability — for success in any career might buffer girls against these stereotypes."
My concern is that girls and women will get treated as worker bees. In addition, although it's important to work hard, it's also important to be regarded as smart and capable without having to prove it every time. And sometimes women can do the work, acquire the accomplishments, and still be rejected in favor of an unqualified man. E.g., Hillary Clinton.
My concern is that girls and women will get treated as worker bees. In addition, although it's important to work hard, it's also important to be regarded as smart and capable without having to prove it every time. And sometimes women can do the work, acquire the accomplishments, and still be rejected in favor of an unqualified man. E.g., Hillary Clinton.
19
Not surprising. The smart women in media and history are often portrayed as being smart because they work so hard: think Hermione and her books. It's common to portray smart men as naturally gifted and sometimes throw in a 'but don't try'. The idea of innately gifted with talent is more romantic and as a society we have a weird obsession with this.
It's really annoying because in high school I saw both genders exhibit both these qualities.
It's really annoying because in high school I saw both genders exhibit both these qualities.
21
I doubt the validity of these studies for Black American girls whose parents, especially Black mothers, have high expectations for their girls who reject negative intellectual and physical attributes others attempt to impose on them.
3
I don't think people should view themselves as "smart" or not. Better to say "I did a good job on this project". Having said that, arrogance is often mistaken for ability and maybe testosterone level, all by itself, increases aggression, aka dominance, aka "arrogance". It does seem that boys are more likely to put themselves forward and then they're rewarded more, and punished less, for being pushy.
5
But what if we are smart?
4
From childhood stereotypes we see why (most) women live the lives they do. Great study. So clear and concise.
Let the revolution begin!
Let the revolution begin!
4
LOL, you pretty well explain the failure of lefty liberalism here, TSV.
One study, "soft science" tainted by opinion and politics -- and you think you will base a "revolution" on that? 50 years after Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Ms. Magazine and the flop of the ERA?
Then you truly have not been paying attention. Liberals have been "waiting for a revolution!' for the last half century, and ironically, the only successful grassroots political action has come form...the right wing.
One study, "soft science" tainted by opinion and politics -- and you think you will base a "revolution" on that? 50 years after Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Ms. Magazine and the flop of the ERA?
Then you truly have not been paying attention. Liberals have been "waiting for a revolution!' for the last half century, and ironically, the only successful grassroots political action has come form...the right wing.
I never thought of 5 and 6 year old children as being especially political.
2
I can't believe the comments about using IQ test to justify male "genius." The IQ test is designed to test what someone wanted it to test. It's a false construct used to promote currently a set of social noms in a self- fulfilling prophecy.
45
I will tell you what has helped my highly gifted daughter the most: being in a special program for highly gifted students and thus having peers, rather than sticking out as the only one in her class. She has a tight circle of smart girls around her, and they are able to wear their nerd status proudly. The increase in her confidence and self-esteem about being intellectually gifted has been amazing to watch - she went from saying, "I hate being smart" to wearing a t-shirt proclaiming, "Smart is the new pretty."
108
Maybe if we did not greet every little girl we meet with, "You look so pretty" or "I love your shoes" it would help to inculcate the Smart is the New Pretty ethic. There are plenty of other things to say to a little girl (and older girls) than to comment on their looks.
27
What a shame that a compliment has to make reference to "pretty" at all, to be considered of value. "Smart is the new pretty" is right up there with teaching manners by saying "Take princess bites."
3
It is really hard, when they look so cute and beautiful! We try, but appearance does stand out!
1
This is tragic. To those who say that the war on women is imaginative or over, I urge you to consider this article, to think of the contributions to society that are never actualized because young girls think themselves less intelligent than boys. Imagine what our world would look like if all children, boys and girls, realized their potential.
I don't have children yet, but if and when I do, I hope to show them movies and read them books where intelligent women shine. In recent times (and I mean very recent: just the past few years), Hollywood and authors are tapping into this incredible notion that women can be just as intelligent as men, that they, too, can save the world. Just look at Hidden Figures. It's one of the best movies I've seen lately, made all the more fantastic when one realizes that it's based off of a true story. The Hunger Games, Divergent, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, heck, even the new Ghostbusters movies are all showing strong women who, through their cleverness, ingenuity, and skills, save the world. We need many more movies and books like this so that all children, especially girls, grow up knowing that they are important, that they matter.
I don't have children yet, but if and when I do, I hope to show them movies and read them books where intelligent women shine. In recent times (and I mean very recent: just the past few years), Hollywood and authors are tapping into this incredible notion that women can be just as intelligent as men, that they, too, can save the world. Just look at Hidden Figures. It's one of the best movies I've seen lately, made all the more fantastic when one realizes that it's based off of a true story. The Hunger Games, Divergent, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, heck, even the new Ghostbusters movies are all showing strong women who, through their cleverness, ingenuity, and skills, save the world. We need many more movies and books like this so that all children, especially girls, grow up knowing that they are important, that they matter.
19
My advice, via my parents, is to have high expectations of your daughters, not so much that they must get As on their homework but rather that they try/ work just as hard on math, science, etc. as art, English, history. Sex and gender should never be excuses for performing poorly in the sciences.
Also, let them see you approach and solve problems. In my family, I routinely figure out and fix things that are viewed as "male" tasks.....ranging from unclogging the drain to hooking up the audio/ video system. People are occasionally surprised I am that versatile. (If I can't fix it, that is when I call for help.)
Also, let them see you approach and solve problems. In my family, I routinely figure out and fix things that are viewed as "male" tasks.....ranging from unclogging the drain to hooking up the audio/ video system. People are occasionally surprised I am that versatile. (If I can't fix it, that is when I call for help.)
1
The author convienantly ignored the most crucial scientific facts. Women have slightly higher IQs than men on average but their IQs are consistent. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to be stupid or geniuses. This isn't conjecture. This scientific fact has been supported time and time again. It's impossible that one could write an article such as this and not have come across that fact. It is the obvious reason why a parent might google twice as much, is my son a genius over is my daughter. Show me any study ever conducted that has as many or even remotely in the same vicinity as many women with 180 IQs as men.
And yes, there is probably a reason for this if you're wondering. Women have fundamentally different brains. Isn't this the reason we value diversity in the first place? So why does everyone pretend it does not exist. Women have about 10 times more white matter than men. Men have about 2 times more grey matter. Grey matter is like rocket fuel to the brain's problem solving abilities and might be the reason for such differences. No connection between structure and IQ has difintively been show, at least not to my knowledge, but to ignore such a vast difference in the composition of the brain doesn't make for a very well rounded article about the differences in men and women.
And yes, there is probably a reason for this if you're wondering. Women have fundamentally different brains. Isn't this the reason we value diversity in the first place? So why does everyone pretend it does not exist. Women have about 10 times more white matter than men. Men have about 2 times more grey matter. Grey matter is like rocket fuel to the brain's problem solving abilities and might be the reason for such differences. No connection between structure and IQ has difintively been show, at least not to my knowledge, but to ignore such a vast difference in the composition of the brain doesn't make for a very well rounded article about the differences in men and women.
29
"Dreamwalker" sounds like an optimistic description.
1
Actually, scientists have recently discredited the idea that there are two types of brain, one distinctly female and one distinctly male. Instead our brains are each individual mixes of features previously designated as "male" and those previously designated as "female." There are some features which are more likely to appear in one gender/sex or the other, but there are just as many appear equally across the gender spectrum and there are so many possible combinations of features that its impossible to classify brains on a male/female binary. The scientists who conducted the most recent on this topic say brains are actually more like "mosaics" of features. Here is a link to the study:http://www.pnas.org/content/112/50/15468
Additionally, there's research about how IQs are incapable of measuring intelligence comprehensively. Modern psychologists are turning to measuring "cognitive ability" which addresses a broader spectrum. I also suspect that IQ tests are not immune from being affected by gendered socialization. I have a personal anecdote on this point: I took an IQ test as a five year old girl and I scored above a 120. The tester informed my parents afterwards that I might have scored higher if I had been quicker in answering the questions: she suspected that I was being cautious because I wanted to be right, which seems symptomatic of a larger problem where girls try less things because they're afraid failure reflects innate inability.
Additionally, there's research about how IQs are incapable of measuring intelligence comprehensively. Modern psychologists are turning to measuring "cognitive ability" which addresses a broader spectrum. I also suspect that IQ tests are not immune from being affected by gendered socialization. I have a personal anecdote on this point: I took an IQ test as a five year old girl and I scored above a 120. The tester informed my parents afterwards that I might have scored higher if I had been quicker in answering the questions: she suspected that I was being cautious because I wanted to be right, which seems symptomatic of a larger problem where girls try less things because they're afraid failure reflects innate inability.
4
To clarify, what you're saying is that men, as a population, have a broader range of IQs than women, that the standard deviation for men's IQ is larger than that of women? Not that individual men or women are more "consistent" or "genius/stupid" (respectively) with regard to IQ?
This is potentially inconsistent with, or at least not dispositive of, the statement that "women have slightly higher IQs than men on average." That the breadth of the male bell curve is wider than that of the female bell curve does not lead to the conclusion that the peak of each curve (the mean IQ) is to the left or right of the other.
This is potentially inconsistent with, or at least not dispositive of, the statement that "women have slightly higher IQs than men on average." That the breadth of the male bell curve is wider than that of the female bell curve does not lead to the conclusion that the peak of each curve (the mean IQ) is to the left or right of the other.
The unfortunate use of the word brilliance may show how astute these girls are. Many IQ tests show that while the average IQ is 100 for males and female, the distribution of individual IQ scores is different for them. Boys have a flatter distribution while girls are more closely grouped around the average. This means in an average large group of 500 boys and 500 girls, there will be more boys with IQs less than 80 than girls with IQs less than 80. Similarly, in the same group, there will be more boys with IQs over 120 than there will be of girls with IQs over 120. Girls are astute enough to see this. Why criticize them for discerning this?
12
Success on any type of intelligence test will be impacted by self-confidence and this is probably enough to explain much of the difference at the high end.
4
All through history, there have been extraordinary women: artists, as well as scientists, political & military leaders. Joan of Arc, who was just 12 & kept France from becoming an English fiefdom. Mozart's sister, whom conventional thinking prevented from continuing when she became "of marriageable age": she married a wealthy man, but her destitute brother, the genius, was too shy to ask her for help. She was shocked to learn of his suffering after his early death. A number of important painters, Vigée Lebrun probably being the best known. Marie Curie. Great rulers, as well: Isabela of Spain freed her people & funded Columbus. Unless future teachers pursuing credentials are also taught about them & required to be able to describe them to kids of all ages & backgrounds, the false impression that "only boys are smart" will continue to destroy half the population's self-concept. All parents, but especially dads, granddads, uncles need to review & improve upon the messages they are conveying to girls of all ages. Our brains are by far our most interesting part. Failing to cultivate the intelligence of that girl child might wind up making your family a lot less wealthy than it might have become, had it invested appropriately in encouraging daughters as much as sons.
7
I have twin five-year-old girls and vow to combat this every step of the way. Each morning on the way to kindergarten, we recite our "family pledge." Even my two-year-old knows it by heart: "I am kind to others. I am respectful. I am loving. I am STRONG! I am SMART! I am CREATIVE! I can make the world a BETTER PLACE. Today and every day, I will do my BEST!"
97
Good for you: I will do my BEST is even more important than being smart. Most educators just don't tell that to the girls or the boys. They act as if smart is all that matters.
7
And I taught my girls (now grown women) to never be ashamed to show others how smart they were/are. One is now a science educator, the other a school counsellor, both in positions to pass this message on by example or guidance.
4
I love this!! I can't wait to create my own version!! As I always tell my kids - the only thing i ask of you is that you try your best....
1
This is so true, and incredibly pervasive even when everything else around you tells you otherwise.
Here’s an example from the Eastern European country where I grew up. From the start, everybody knows that girls do better in school than boys, and by far. The rift is so deep that, by 7th grade when kids go through harrowing exams in order to enter the “nice” high schools, the entrance requirements are different. In order to pass and get in, boys need a whole point lower on their scores (on a 6-point scale) than girls do! The reasoning - boys can’t achieve scores as high as girls, and if the minimum was the same for both genders, there would be no boys in schools! Of course, this perpetuates the problem - boys know they don’t have to try as hard, so they don’t push themselves in school. After school/college, technically women and men can both have any job they want. However, this is where the problem shows through, even despite a lifetime of academic superiority for the girls by this point. Men still get better jobs, better pay, more respect and dominate the work force! Somehow, along the way, the stereotype changes, and adult women are not seen as smarter than men the way girls are. So, even with the best start possible, women STILL end up in that stereotype for the rest of their lives.
It’s not enough to maintain the narrative that girls are smart. We need to also build up and support the image of adult women as being smart as well, and capitalize on their early gains.
Here’s an example from the Eastern European country where I grew up. From the start, everybody knows that girls do better in school than boys, and by far. The rift is so deep that, by 7th grade when kids go through harrowing exams in order to enter the “nice” high schools, the entrance requirements are different. In order to pass and get in, boys need a whole point lower on their scores (on a 6-point scale) than girls do! The reasoning - boys can’t achieve scores as high as girls, and if the minimum was the same for both genders, there would be no boys in schools! Of course, this perpetuates the problem - boys know they don’t have to try as hard, so they don’t push themselves in school. After school/college, technically women and men can both have any job they want. However, this is where the problem shows through, even despite a lifetime of academic superiority for the girls by this point. Men still get better jobs, better pay, more respect and dominate the work force! Somehow, along the way, the stereotype changes, and adult women are not seen as smarter than men the way girls are. So, even with the best start possible, women STILL end up in that stereotype for the rest of their lives.
It’s not enough to maintain the narrative that girls are smart. We need to also build up and support the image of adult women as being smart as well, and capitalize on their early gains.
81
One factor which I think is responsible for the shift in view between girls and women, at least in that society, is the sexual and parenting role of women as seen by society. Even though girls are seen as smart and reliable students, once they enter puberty, they are seen as sex objects, and soon after, as housewives and mothers who are discredited from any other job they may have aspirations for. I think it's a combination of national attitudes towards women, plus the fact that said country has a very long paid maternity leave (a couple of years!) taken solely by the mother. By comparison, American women are forced back into the adult world very soon after giving birth, taking a much smaller hit to their careers, which, paired with the feminist movement in the US, has broadened the horizons and improved the image of women here much more than in Eastern Europe. I guess that's the silver lining to our maternity leave problem here (which still IS a problem despite this). But we need to do even better. Women's reproductive image is still the #1 problem even after all the advances, and it manifests itself in many ways - expectations of beauty, sexualization, rape culture, office harassment culture, downgrading mothers as lesser employees, and the uneven hit that women as parents take in all aspects of their lives compared to fathers after a child is born. All of this reinforces male dominance in the culture, and kids pick up on it young.
10
I am also from Eastern Europe. And it is true that girls are expected to a) mature faster and b) be better at school than boys there is also a big difference in perception of careers. You will find that most prestigious Universities in those countries that require "brilliant" students through exams (60% verbal in front of a panel of examiners), accept far more Males than Girls. (I suspect that the verbal part of entry-level exam is responsible) Most Girls are shifted to medium level colleges and universities that look mostly at average grade and written standardized exams. Perversely mostly lower-grade boys go to technical colleges (associate technical degrees like for mechanic and etc).
However careers differ substantially. In Eastern Europe if you say "an engineer" - most likely it would be a woman. It is considered quite proper job for women. If you say "Phd level expert" most likely it would be a male.
My mother had a bit of a culture shock when she realized that at first american job she got most of her co-workers - structural engineers - were males who took a long time to acknowledge her as an equal in terms of knowledge and experience.
However careers differ substantially. In Eastern Europe if you say "an engineer" - most likely it would be a woman. It is considered quite proper job for women. If you say "Phd level expert" most likely it would be a male.
My mother had a bit of a culture shock when she realized that at first american job she got most of her co-workers - structural engineers - were males who took a long time to acknowledge her as an equal in terms of knowledge and experience.
5
I agree, some job stereotypes do differ. For example, in the country I'm from, most doctors are female. However, being a doctor is a ridiculously underpaid and underrespected profession, ranking at the bottom of the food chain along with teachers, so it's not really a point of pride, like if you were a female doctor in the US. If you ignore the job title and just look at pay, men still have the top jobs...
3
This socialization has been going on for a long time. I'm fifty-nine and I remember starting to push back against this as early as kindergarten and throughout the next 12 years. But my mother had gone through life resenting that, first with her brothers and then in school and at work, she was supposed to think men were superior. My sisters and I were never allowed to believe were at all helpless or unable to do anything that we put our minds too. I know I disconcerted many boys and many of my teachers by my drive to be the best.
I obviously was very lucky. I never internalized messages that would make me discount my own intelligence and talents. But, all my life, in college (Yale),in business school and in the world of finance, I have had to fend for myself in a heavily male environment. But the women who were there with me, inspired me.
I found this article so sad. The more things change, the more things stay the same. We are underutilized the intelligence and talents of half the population. Given the challenges of the future, we need all hands on deck, not some unsure of themselves.