Virginia Apgar Demonstrating the Apgar Score
In his August 11, 2011 interview with Gloria Steinem, Stephen Colbert said that her documentary "is really a window into a time when
sexism existed, but now everything's equal." He got the big
laugh because most people know it's not true. It is in that spirit that I offer the following.
To date my entries have been about gender and dynamic systems during early development. This entry mixes things up a bit: I recount a specific incident displaying the gender dynamics within a group of adults–professional psychologists (academic and clinical), sociologists and physicians to be exact. It is a fairly faithful account of a recent on-line conversation held by a professional group with a common interest in certain aspects of psychology and biology. It may even speak for itself.
Male Psychologist 1 (MP1) (to the group): how come more women don't contribute ideas and comments to our conversations?
(Me, to myself): uh-oh.
Me, to MP1, (an aside not to the group): I'm out on this one. Every time I say something I get trashed. It wears me down.
MP2: to the group leader (GL) (for all to hear); how many women ARE there in the group, anyway?
GL: I have no idea; here's the list. Count them for yourself if you're so interested.
Female Psychologist 1 (FP1): Most of the topics discussed deal with men, not women. So it doesn't surprise me that the women contribute less.
FP2: Many of the topics are relevant to my work with patients. So why don't I post? It may be partly a gender thing--i.e. if I'm not an expert on a topic I don't want to raise my hand.
FP3: I don't have the time to post (complete with citations!).
Renaissance Women in Science
(Me to myself): Oh SNAP!!
FP1: I would think that female psychologists are as interested in male aspects of psychology as male psychologists are in female psychology.
MP2: Agreed, but then why aren't you surprised that the women contribute less?
FP4: I learn things from the list, but I really don't have time to post and I don't usually feel that I have much to offer.
MP3: Maybe if we called it the Pink discussion group instead of the Blue discussion group more women would participate.
(me to myself): Oh, SNAP! (again).
FP 5: I'm insulted that you think more women would comment on Pink. What a terrible stereotype for professionals in this field!!!
MP3: I'm sorry you felt insulted. I just think that both sexes see the world through different lenses
FP-6: Maybe the men are more (a) inclined to display/show off (b) willing to take risks? Maybe people prefer posts that a) challenge or antagonize or b) are from people they know. On a couple of occasions I posted something with no response and then someone else posted the exact same thing and there was lots of back and forth. The people who had a dog in the fight regarding what I was posting probably didn't know me and thus ignored my post. Finally, many women are balancing work and family and spend more hours in the domestic sphere than men do, and posting to this group probably doesn't further your academic goals, so women may decide it's more important to make dinner than to respond to a posted question.
FP4: If GL wants to increase the diversity of voices on here he might endorse posting something at least once a month, reassure everyone that posting is welcomed and encourage the group to give new posters a bit of a boost by responding to them.
Rosalind Franklin and her X-Ray diffraction
(Me to myself): And now it really starts.
MP4: I disagree with GL...I think we should embrace "essential proportionalism". Not only should there be an equal number of men and women holding forth, but the number of words allocated per message should be proportionally based on sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and age. The actual content of any message is immaterial. What is truly important is that everyone have the opportunity for "their time" on any given issue. Otherwise, we run the risk of teetering dangerously toward the reactionary principles of merit and exceptionalism, which we all know to be contrary to the core construct of contemporary academic freedom. My allocated word count is used up. Later
MP5: I agree with MP4 and let's not forget proportional to age! Toddlers able to identify a keyboard should also be allowed their moment in the sun. I'd be interested in the age-old question, are they really psychic beings--what are their psychic thoughts and desires?
MP1 (privately to me): It this what it's like to be a female scientist?
As I said, the above dialogue may even speak for itself.
