1973 presentation notes on women and education

3/73 KAS WOMEN How do we get the way we are --- nature + nurture --- in the main we are the way we are because we are trained to be that way. A. How are women supposed to be -- sensitive, submissive, desire for protection, extremes of both self and group hatred -- a corollary of the notion that only men can excel is the cultural norm that a girl should not appear too smart or surpass boys in anything. 1. Horner - At first term you find yourself at the top of the Medical Class -- 65% would "avoid success" B. Girls are to be molded by environment, boys to mold it -- C. What does this do to oppressor? Lewis Terman and Leona Tyler -- literature review -- girls more nervous, unstable, less self-confident, more neurotic, low self opinions -- this gets worse as girls grow older -- these are Alpert's "traits due to victimization" --- "Achievers" according to Blood are far more anxious. D. What does it do to Dominant Group 1. Short term gains - cheap labor supply -- cozy home 2. Long term loses -- same as for blacks -- manpower loses -- causes anxiety for men also -- most can't mold society -- they are failures. E. A look at the double standard and Aging 1. By Our Culture - Women physically unattractive sooner 2. Sexual worth of men defined in terms of personality, intelligence, earning power -- Women it is all body. Hence: A. Men can marry women 20 years younger B. Ads with older men and girls C. Women of 40 who lose their husbands are out of luck -- more difficult to find mate. 3. Older women may be our lowest prestige group in society. F. Women in Labor 1. The Changing Work Scene a. In 1920 - average woman worker was 28 and single - today 39 married and living with husband --