Some fun observations

[geniusgirl]

...that, perhaps, aren't as fun as they should be.

1. I've always thought that manga was biased because every time a boy and girl are set to matriculate (especially from junior high school); the boy is usually pegged as the smarter one. He is also usually the one who gives up a chance at a great high school to remain beside the girl he loves.

Comments

[praiseofshadows]

I mean, the generalization is huge and I'm sure there are exceptions to both rules but maybe this is cultural? Is it the general consensus in the Orient that males are smarter than females versus the western trend of girls being smarter (or at least working harder at academics)? I'm actually wondering if has more to do with the fact that love stories in manga are usually written for girls, and girls (as a general rule) want boys that are smarter than them (which then begs the question: what if all those smarter boys want smarter girls, too? XDDDD). I mean, that's what you're always told to aim set your cap for: a boy smarter than you with a better career than you, and of course, taller than you (though if you can get the first two, you can xnay the third XD).

Also, I've never thought there was a western trend of girls being smarter -- I've always thought of it as the girl working harder because primary/secondary educations are biased in favour of the boy which sucks but that eventually evens out with the huge drop-out rate of

[geniusgirl]

It probably does have more to do with target audience rather than any sort of consensus but you see, this here is where I think it becomes cultural: girls (as a general rule) want boys that are smarter than them [...] I mean, that's what you're always told to aim set your cap for: a boy smarter than you with a better career than you, and of course, taller than you (though if you can get the first two, you can xnay the third XD).

For as long as I can remember, neither myself mor anyone else I know never been told that (though I admit to being attracted to people who are either my intellectual equal or better simply because they tend to get my sense of humour more). But this may have more to do with the fact that in the Caribbean, it's everybody sink of swim (we're a bit cynical, it's true) and the fact that most girls are fiercely independent to the point that we actually do have this nasty habit of looking down our noses are women who depend on men for their living, of course, for their happiness and sexual fulfillment, sure XDDD (

[geniusgirl]

And, of course, I meant, "Never, for as long as I can remember, have I or anyone I've known ever been told that."

Yeah... -_-

OMG -- comment too long for LJ XD (1st part)

[praiseofshadows]

but you see, this here is where I think it becomes cultural: .... For as long as I can remember, neither myself mor anyone else I know never been told that

I never considered it wasn't cultural. I just thought you were looking at the cultural issue a bit too narrowly.

It's not so much as being told; it's the entire social imaginary that we live in (and construct) on a daily basis. (And yes, I am a complete geek for Benedict Anderson, Charles Taylor, and Michel Foucault). It's the fact that people are generally taken aback by a tall woman married to a short man. It's the way romance novels usually involve set-ups about a the cynical rich man falling for the poor girl with a heart of gold. About how a wild girl is finally "tamed" by the right man. (and these examples are just two of many that are troubling in a genre written by and for women). The fact that women's beach volleyball teams at the Olympics were forced into bikinis while their male counterparts wore normal swimming trunks. It's all the unspoken codes of society

[syetery9]

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