I didn't think my eyebrows could climb any higher, then I read that 'women and gays are the ruination of science fiction.' My head bleeds for the poor boys who are no longer motivated to enter the sciences. Not. I applaud the fact that more girls are entering the fields, possibly due to the same ruinous influences. I know I loved reading and watching science fiction from my teens, and that was before there were any female heroines to speak of. I had to wait for those writers to enter the genre later, and then I devoured their stories.
I actually had a [male] professor inform me that women didn't belong in the sciences and that I should be home taking care of my daughter and husband. I think he had issues with the department head of Mathematics and Computer Sciences - a kick-ass Asian female of a certain age. This was in 1989.
A year later, I graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Computer Science and had a job lined up before I graduated - my choice from three offers. The best revenge indeed. I only regret my daughter was influenced to avoid the field by the long hours I worked to ensure I wasn't perceived as less motivated than my male counterparts.
I think it's appalling that after all these years, that professor's mindset still prevails in too many forums. *rolls eyes*
Yeah, I understand, a little, about the long hours and how it can affect your perceived productivity. I had a student this past fall who got a lot of guff for daring to have children while she was getting her doctorate (in mathmatics). I think women still deal with a lot of compromises in this area, and maybe ones that I won't have to deal with for being single. I dunno if I'll ever be ready to have children myself, but I don't think women should be penalized for doing so, when a man in the same position wouldn't be. It's very hard.
But still, I think that there aren't enough women in science, and I haven't seen a lack of boys going into math and science. How funny that they want to whine that those icky girls and gays are getting in the way of their sci fi.
I actually had a [male] professor inform me that women didn't belong in the sciences and that I should be home taking care of my daughter and husband. I think he had issues with the department head of Mathematics and Computer Sciences - a kick-ass Asian female of a certain age. This was in 1989.
A year later, I graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Computer Science and had a job lined up before I graduated - my choice from three offers. The best revenge indeed. I only regret my daughter was influenced to avoid the field by the long hours I worked to ensure I wasn't perceived as less motivated than my male counterparts.
I think it's appalling that after all these years, that professor's mindset still prevails in too many forums. *rolls eyes*
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But still, I think that there aren't enough women in science, and I haven't seen a lack of boys going into math and science. How funny that they want to whine that those icky girls and gays are getting in the way of their sci fi.
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