Comments on: McKellar and Hypatia Prove the Theorem that Girls Can Do Math

By: oldpunster

oldpunster — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:52:42 +0000

Tracey,

This reminded me of being at the Origins game convention back around ‘85 with my then-fiance. She stopped to look at a war game set in the Ancient World. The game designer knew me because I sold advertising to him, and – in front of her – he said, “She could probably play this, Gerald. It doesn’t require too much math.” Apart from the ignorance of that statement, the irony was that one of her math instructors in graduate school had tried very hard to convince her to switch from linguistics to mathematics for her Master’s because she was so good at math – which is basically another form of linguistics. For some odd reason, she didn’t buy the game. She did, however, frequently kick my butt in war games . . . even those that required math.

By: traceymc

traceymc — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:24:37 +0000

Martin-
As with all things, some folks have a genetic predisposition towards the math and sciences. I suspect that Bambi’s observation about how being good at math (or even being smart) is not cool and plays a part in the shrinking pool of female mathematicians and scientists. I was always outnumbered in my math classes, something like 5 to 1, and I never asked a single question lest I look stupid.

Hilariously, a member of the math dept. at my college convinced me to stay the course on the Math/Philosophy major. When I told him I wasn’t capable of A’s he said, “No problem! You can be the mediocre math major.” Thus I became.

By: Bambi Yost

Bambi Yost — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:03:00 +0000

I think the bigger issue is how math is associated with a lack of popularity and being cool. Plus it isn’t considered feminine. I know many female college students who are good at math but they don’t brag about it, unless I prompt them to do so. I’m happy that mth is finally not considered a gender-biased ability but I wonder how long it will take for the rest of the world to catch up when it comes to gender stereotypes. Personally I have always loved math but I felt the sting of male classmates all through algebra, calculus (differential & integral), applied and theoretical, and beyond as I blasted exams and blew any chance for a class curve. I was hated because I was able to math and eventually left engineering simply because I couldn’t stand the thought of working with men who were so easily threatened and hostile. But that was a long time ago – back in the 80’s – so hopefully by now things have changed enough in the world that it is okay to be smart and okay to be a math wiz even if you are a girl. Thanks McKeller, Winnie, Hypatia, and McCormick! Now where are the other female mathematics super star role models? Oh right, probably out shopping. Thanks to mattel, tv sitcoms, socially constructed social norms for women, and a whole slew of other factors. At least we know that statistically we are capable and that the entire theory that women are not spatially and mathematically able is bunk. Now ladies, go encourage a young woman to show that she is good at math and to be proud of her abilities. And while you are at it, see if you can get a few men to applaud her abilities as well. Social change is slow. Let’s make sure it happens beyond the classroom.

By: mdula

mdula — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:53:36 +0000

Muy interesante.

Since we’re all goo-goo for genetics as the explanation of all, have there been any studies that have isolated genetic markers or predispositions towards Math? Are they the same in both men and women, and is there any prevalence in either sex?

I know Math is a pain for both me and my wife. In fact, one of her first Math classes in college (the remedial, pass em’ along class) began with the students conveying their Math horror stories. Very therapeutic.