@hamlet.bitnet:tan@devvax.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (Greer H. Tan) (10/13/88)
In article <5396@ecsvax.uncecs.edu> pedersen%math.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.Berkeley.E DU writes: >In message <5375@ecsvax.uncecs.edu>, hplabs!joanne@hpccc.hp.com >(Joanne Petersen) writes: >> I always felt that I was supported by parents and teachers in my endeavors >> to learn about mathematics. How unusual this sounds now, in the context of >> the 'discrimination' discussion.... > >I was supported by my parents and teachers too. The general public is >a different story. >I have a tale of two math majors to tell. Sharon's tale of two math majors sounds like the perfect example of what a little self "comfort" can do. I say "comfort" because I know of many people who aren't really self confident or that self assured, but they are fairly comfortable with their shyness, and dependencies. Usually, a supportive group of family and friends ... or maybe just family, will give a person the overall feeling of comfort with themselves. And that person will be less influenced by thoughtless comments like those encountered by Sharon's friend. Another case may be that ... women may be feeling some pressure from other women ... Imagine a woman who excels in math and science, but whose true love is music and art (more traditional "female" things) ... Does it take a stronger woman *still* to pursue her real dream career? What of the woman who has graduated college not with a B.A. but a B.S. in engineering or science, but decides that what would fullfill her the most would be to organize and run a family and home? Would it be different if she had majored in a traditional "female" major in college and then decided to organize and run a family? Now, imagine men in the same situations, a man -- excelling in math -- turns to music or history or literature, a man with a degree in chemical engineering decides to stay home and watch the children and organize the home ... a man who studied Spanish Art History and runs an emaculate home. What do you think? Are our reactions and feelings to these people different? If so, is that something desirable? Or perhaps something we need examine more closely? ... Just a thought ... Greer tan@jpl-devvax.jpl.nasa.gov