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I never had a male English teacher in my life. Could that have something to do with my writing skills?
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You have the godwin point.
Who are the people who give notes and who are supposed to make chidren feel happy at school (and therefore work seriously) ?
You guess it : most teachers are females. In France, at schools for kids aged between 6 and 14, 67% of teachers happen to be females.
And as a matter of chance, girls outperform boys at school....what a coincidence.....
At least, this article states that sexes are not a social construct but are biologically different.
Equal, but different.
Do all these little boys know that the average male brain has 18% more brain cells than the average female brain for instance ?
I think we should begin to spread the word to help boys rebuild their self-confidence and self-esteem.
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Male brains are considerably larger because we have tons more white matter than females do. Women actually wind up having more grey matter. White matter is for performing specialized tasks (like navigation and differential calculus), whereas grey matter is more general-purpose.
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If I'm not mistaken, white matter is actually a result of myelin coating on neuron axons. Grey matter is composed primary of the neuronal bodies and dendrites, which are largely absent of myelin.
Myelin functions as a catalyst of action potential propagation; basically it speeds of the rate of propagation of an action potential by allowing the electrochemical transduction process to "jump" via "nodes of ranvier" from one node to the next along the axon toward the axonal terminus. Myelination results in the aggragation of voltage-regulated sodium channels exclusively to these nodes, such that when an action potential is generated in a myelinated fiber, the local depolarizing current moves from one node to the next, rather than to the adjacent region of the fiber. Because the action potential skips over large portions of the axon as it propagates toward the terminus, the overall velocity of the potential is increased dramatically. This type of conduction is referred to as "saltatory conduction." AP propagation sans myelin is referred to as "continuous conduction."
White matter functions primarly as a conduit of action potentials initiated from the higher centers (cerebrum, diencephalon, ceribellum) to motor units, or from sensory receptors throughout the body to the higher centers, via the white matter of the spinal cord. The spinal cord also contains grey matter (a transection reveals a butterfly-shaped region of grey matter surrounded by white matter), which functions primarily in reflex regulation.
I'm not sure where you heard that white matter helps with differential calculus, but I am highly skeptical of this assertion. Myelin doesn't "think" - it merely acts as an insulator for voltage regulation of sodium channels along an axon. Strictly speaking, myelin is not even a part of the neuron; it is composed primarily of fatty tissue which associates with the axonal portion of the neuron. That white matter helps with calculus sound more like quackery than actual science.
BTW, multiple sclerosis is a familiar disease which results in the loss of myelination (due to the immune system's attack on myelin proteins). There are a few other diseases associated with demyelination as well.
-hobbes
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by Anonymous User on Sunday June 01, @04:49AM EST (#9)
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hobbes, mate,
Go back into your academic books. Give us a break!
Whatever the hell you were trying to say, it failed abysmally. Get off your high horse and talk like a man.
Me thinks there's a lot of feminisation here. Me thinks the fog is a load of crap. Me thinks you're full of it.
Knowledge is significant, but if it can't communicate in common terms, for a purpose, then it's useless academic knowledge. It belongs in a text book and dare I say, so do you.
God bless you and all the very best.
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"Me thinks you're full of it.
God bless you and all the very best.
Hey! A classic double bind:
LEARN TO UNDERSTAND THE DOUBLE-BIND PARALYSIS:
Here are common examples;
"You are an idiot."
"You are an idiot :)"
Note your reaction to each statement.
"Shut up and go away."
"Shut up and go away :)"
Note your reaction to each statement.
The 'Double-Bind' is applied for several reasons, and is blatantly manipulative behaviour:
_1 Overt hostile acts or speech automatically expose the motives and nature of the one acting-out; to disguise, one pastes a smile. "Smile when you say that".
_2 Double-binding is ruthless control; it inflicts paralysis by trapping between aversion and desire, but is only effective against the inexperienced and unsophisticated...
Anon, if you're going to be manipulative and controlling, at least try to be a little more subtle about it.
:-)
Larry
Proud member of the Sperm Cartel
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"Get off your high horse and talk like a man."
Myelination = fast nerve impulses.
No myelination = slow nerve impulses.
White matter does not = differential calculus
Or do you need it broken down further? BTW, I don't equate "talking like a man" to talking like an idiot.
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by Anonymous User on Sunday June 01, @09:05PM EST (#28)
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From "the idiot",
Ah yes, now I understand. I see the point.
But why didn't you just express it like that in the first place?
Very many thanks for your patience,
Humbled Idiot
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I apologize if it sounded like I was calling you an idiot. I certainly was not. My intention was only to state that breaking things down to really simple levels does not equate, IMHO, to talking "like a man."
Anyway, I didn't mean to sound arrogant in that last post. I guess I don't take too kindly to being called a feminist. hehe. It is sometimes difficult to know what level of complexity is appropriate in explaining scientific processes such as nerve impulse propagation in a forum such as this (where levels of expertise range from both extremes, in a myriad topics).
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Hobbes - Fascinating post. Are you involved in brain research? Thanks for taking the time to explain some of the finer points of myelin. I have heard that they are now trying to "transplant" myelin producing cells into MS patients.
One of the fascinating things I have read about male/female brain differences is the relationship of testosterone to these differences. Apparently the male brain is "flooded" with testosterone in about the 3rd month in utero. This apparently creates significant differences in brain structure. It has always been curious to me that it is the mother who produces the testosterone needed to accomplish this very masculine task. A good source of information on this is the Steve Biddulph book "Raising Boys" where he offers some wonderful layman friendly explanations about brain developement and how they manifest in the behavior of boys and girls.
In response to anon....It seems to me that Hobbe's post offered facts and information. In my mind this is as far from feminism as one can get. The fems rely more on propaganda and personal story. Thank you Hobbes, for providing facts.
Stand Your Ground Forum
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Hi Tom,
No, I'm not involved specifically in brain research, but I am studying for a degree in medicine. I recall having read something about the effect of testosterone on fetus brain development, but I do not remember the specifics. I'll try and check out Steve Biddulph's book if I get the chance. Thanks for the reference.
Hope all is well.
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by Anonymous User on Sunday June 01, @03:07PM EST (#20)
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"The opinions expressed above are my own, but you're welcome to adopt them."
Your a jackass.
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Your a jackass.
Then what does that make you, considering the fact that you obviously don't know how to spell "you're"?
"Existence exists. A is A." -Ayn Rand
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by Anonymous User on Sunday June 01, @08:16PM EST (#27)
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Probably a bad speller, or someone with poor grammar.
That's my best guess.
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by Anonymous User on Sunday June 01, @03:20PM EST (#22)
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http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/n euro/journal/v5/n2/full/nn0202-83.html
"Thus, regarding the first two questions, we conclude that white-matter volume is also highly heritable and that g is related to the volumes of both gray and white matter."
"Thus, the answer to the third question is that the correlation between brain volumes and g is, as anticipated8, mediated entirely by genetic factors"
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I am a male, and I have never had anything but female English teachers. My vocabulary is of Holmesian proportions and my writing skills scored me a gold seal on my diploma (meaning that I'm in the top 2% for the state of California).
I would not be so quick to say "I suck at X because no men ever taught it to me, only women."
Then again, my family is absolutely chock full of English teachers spanning four generations and on both sides, so maybe I'm just wired this way...
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by Anonymous User on Saturday May 31, @08:02PM EST (#3)
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"Some people argue that all the effort devoted to fixing the gender gap that used to exist for girls has come at the expense of boys. The school culture has become so feminized, they say, that boys are set up for failure."
Ya think?
"An entire generation of educational theory has been rooted in the notion that boys and girls are the same, and that gender is socially constructed."
No kidding.
"The keynote speaker at a conference of independent schools in Toronto this summer is Dr. Leonard Sax, an outspoken crusader for single-sex education. He believes the best way to help the boys will also help the girls: Segregate them and tailor their education to their very different brains. "These differences are real," he argues. "They are grounded in biology.""
Finially.
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Following is an excerpt from my brochure "What are Men's Issues"
Contrary to feminist assertions, a boy in school today is at an automatic disadvantage. As many “Women’s Studies” graduates end up in teaching, feminist theory has filtered down to the high school and elementary levels. Because feminist ideology requires that boys be educated in the same manner as girls, a boy’s natural tendency to be more active and outspoken will always be a “problem.” While boys thrive in learning environments that emphasize physically connected hands-on activities, they are confined to sitting quietly for hours at a time. Some schools have even eliminated recess and any kind of active games.
Such insensitivity to the learning needs of boys has contributed to the following:
• Boys are three times as likely to receive a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder as girls.
• Boys at all levels are far more likely than girls to be disciplined, suspended, held back, or expelled.
• By high school the typical boy is a year and a half behind the typical girl in reading and writing, and is less likely to graduate from high school.
• Boys are now less likely than girls to go to college.
This disparity in boys’ educational performance carries through to the college level:
• Males now represent only 43% of university students.
• Among black university students, only 33% are male.
• Men are less likely to graduate from college or go to graduate school.
Part of this difference may be due to the fact that the less than friendly school environment that boys face becomes a hostile environment for young men as they enter college. Some instructors feel free to make disparaging remarks about men in class, while campus newspapers routinely carry articles with an anti-male bias. Consequently, some young men may leave college, rather than stay in an environment where they feel devalued.
Title IX is a related educational issue which started out as an attempt to guarantee equal opportunity for women in athletics. This has evolved into a system of rigid proportionality between sports participation and enrollment for women. As female enrollment has increased, institutions of higher education are required to increase female sports participation in order to meet their required target. This has resulted in many athletic programs for men being cut, while it is questionable that women even want the levels of participation that are required. As with other gender issues, differences in participation rates should reflect individual interests and abilities, rather than an arbitrary quota system
School violence has been an area of particular concern for boys. Unfortunately, recent school shootings have been carried out mostly by boys, resulting in violence prevention material that targets boys in particular. Overly repressive zero-tolerance policies have probably stigmatized many innocent boys unnecessarily more than they have helped to prevent violence. While schools should take reasonable precautions against school violence, it would be better if the root causes (e.g. bullying) were also addressed.
Steve
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School violence has been an area of particular concern for boys. Unfortunately, recent school shootings have been carried out mostly by boys, resulting in violence prevention material that targets boys in particular. Overly repressive zero-tolerance policies have probably stigmatized many innocent boys unnecessarily more than they have helped to prevent violence. While schools should take reasonable precautions against school violence, it would be better if the root causes (e.g. bullying) were also addressed.
Too true. A friend of mine was suspended for a week for having a miniature Swiss Army knife on his keychain. Top of his class, loved by everyone, ZERO behavioral problems. I also agree about the bullying. Teachers often turn a blind eye to physical and verbal abuse that goes on right under their noses. They know that a flock of students will sit in class and talk all kinds of shit about one or two other students in class, loudly in many cases. And they do nothing. And the targeted students have to sit there and take it.
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You would think it would have been more reasonable for the school to have put the miniature knife away for safekeeping that day. Your friend could have then simply taken it back home at the end of the day. I don't see how stigmatizing a good student with an suspension creates respect for school authorities. They come across as silly pompous reactionaries.
Much of this "zero-tolerance" absurdity seems to stem from fear of litigation by school authorities.
I wonder what a more workable alternative to this "zero-tolerance" nonsense would be like.
Steve
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by Anonymous User on Sunday June 01, @09:43AM EST (#11)
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Excellent post. I think you mentioned some time ago that you were compiling a list of mens' issues. Would it be possible to put it on this website?
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I have created a brochure titled "What are Men's Issues?" which is an overview of six of the main issues affecting men and boys. These are:
- Divorce and Child Custody
- Domestic Violence against Men
- Media Representation of Men
- Workplace Issues for Men
- Men's Health and Safety
- Education
If you want to read or download this brochure, please go to Men's Issues Online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MensIssuesOnline, click on the "Files" option on the left, and select "What are Mens Issues 1.doc". The brochure may be updated and developed over time, but this is my first attempt at a general outreach piece for the public.
I had already submitted this to Men's Activism a couple of times, but it has yet to be posted as a thread (hint ... hint) ;)
Steve
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by Anonymous User on Sunday June 01, @11:42AM EST (#14)
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Thanks, Steve. I'll check it out. I once tried to compile a comprehensive list of mens issues but I found the list seemed to be endless. This was because, the more I thought about it, the more I realised that men are discriminated against in every conceivable aspect of their lives.
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"Back at TFS, the girls don't look too worried. Their summer is chock-full of plans for language courses, volunteer work at the hospital for disabled kids, an Internet project for War Child Canada, and learning more about research into Alzheimer's. Ms. Sharpe wants to polish her American Sign Language, which she picked up a couple of years ago for fun."
"Personally, I'm not too worried either. The girls will work it out."
Indeed they will. After college years filled with Women's Studies classes and obsessive self-congratulation, they will do what their big sisters are doing now-- work through their reproductive years, *maybe* have one child (probably w/out a husband), and at age 37 turn desperate and pitiable, all to no avail.
Meanwhile, what would have been their husbands live in small one-bedroom apartments playing video games or something like that.
A sad, sad, day indeed. Our civilization is certainly doomed as long as people think "the girls will work it out". They have been allowed to "work it out" for the past 30 years and look where it's gotten us.
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"A sad, sad, day indeed. Our civilization is certainly doomed as long as people think "the girls will work it out". They have been allowed to "work it out" for the past 30 years and look where it's gotten us."
Yes! LOL! My thoughts exactly.
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Let's focus on the brilliance of girls, mention the lagging of boys in a cheerfully unconcerned manner, and pretend everything is great! *Rolls eyes*
I, uhm, liked how the situation is described as a dating paradise [I thought they were all date-raped?] - I know several girls who won't date guys without "prospects" regardless of theirs - if they're a liberal arts major, they want a guy who's already graduated with a job. And they gotta be attractive and whatnot.
That doesn't even take into consideraion how many LUBs there are.
My boyfriend despised his two female math teachers, had one guy in there during, I think, freshman year he liked. The first was, so I've heard, a grumpy old woman who'd "accidently" hit his brothers with books, she taught one of my boyriend's classes before she died. Next came the guy he liked, he hit Super's list. Then he [the teacher] was replaced with this new woman, fresh out of college. His average math grade went from 95 to 70. Dunno that where exatly the fault lay there.
I wonder if education has become femininely tailored: a friend of ours said in her daughter's class half of the guys are waiting until they hit 16 so they can drop out, the math is too hard and English miserable. Certainly education has changed, without overtly saying "This Is Now Female Education" it has changed: if you look at education materials in the 40s, they're very different from the ones you'd see today.
Me? I was homeschooled, in college part-time I adored english, was okay in french, chemistry the classes started out 50/50 male/female, it dropped to 25/75 after mid-semester, then in organic chem we had only 8 girls and 2 boys. Me and one other girl were the only people to get A's in organic. *Shrugs*
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"I, uhm, liked how the situation is described as a dating paradise..."
My girlfriend and I both endured our adolescences in the mid-70's. As far as dating went, I remember being convinced that girls had it made and boys had the shitty end of the stick. She remembers being convinced that boys had it made and girls had everything terrible.
There is a weird kind of social parity there.
She is now mother-hen/big sister to several teenage girls in her neighborhood. The girls agree that boys have it worse. I can only guess at how REALLY bad it must be if someone as self-absorbed as your average teenager can see boys' problems.
Larry
Proud member of the Sperm Cartel
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>I can only guess at how REALLY bad it must be if >someone as self-absorbed as your average >teenager can see boys' problems.
:P Hey, I've been visiting here since I was 16 - and now I'm only 18.
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Umm... er... well... I did say 'average.' Coming here certainly excludes you from that group. :)
Larry
Proud member of the Sperm Cartel
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>if you look at education materials in the 40s, they're very different from the ones you'd see today.
I have an old math book from 1930s called Pure Mathematics by the famous number theorist GH Hardy. It covers at least everything in Calculus AB and BC, with alot more rigor and an emphasis on analysis. (Maybe it is sort of similar to Spivak's book.) Hardy says it is for first year math students in college. So, you might say that we are almost at the same level. But in those days people often went to college when they were 14!! They learned organic chemistry earlier too!
>I wonder if education has become femininely tailored: a friend of ours said in her daughter's class half of the guys are waiting until they hit 16 so they can drop out, the math is too hard and English miserable.
Wonder? I'd reply to that but the anti-male bias in school that I have seen first-hand is just too appalling for words. I will say only one thing. I can promise you the many of these men are actually suprisingly intelligent. If properly educated and motivated they would be doing very well. But without a real education even Einstein wouldn't be able to write a coherent essay.
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