SK>> question. He asked the rest of us (all women...about 4 or 5 o
SK>> saw any benefit to single sex math classes for girls or if we
SK>> this "research" that teachers tend to favor boys more than gi
SK>> classroom by calling on them more often and praising them mor
 DJ> I think there may be some real advantages to presenting math to
 DJ> females in a different manner, but it has nothing to do with this
 DJ> nonsense. Has to do with timely instruction utilizing teaching
 DJ> methods that are favorable to females. I will try to find some
 DJ> references, but am not interested in debate. 
Neither am I, which is why I was so surprised at the tone of responses
I've received to the articles I posted.
I took no position either way; I found some of the comments in the
stories somewhat pertinent to what was being discussed.  It was
interesting to see that of those who did respond, 3 were male & took an
almost defensive tone as if they personally were being criticised & the
one female appeared somewhat sympathetic (or at least more open) to the
writers' positions & assertions by describing a relevent situation at
her school.
I thought I was making it sufficiently clear that I was not responsible
for the contents by citing the authors & publications, but I see that a
disclaimer along the lines of "the poster stresses that the opinions
contained therein are not necessarily shared nor endorsed by her."
There IS a lot of sexism in schools & society in general, but we often
don't recognize it because "that's the way things always have been."  It
can be very subtle.
I personally have been the victim of sexism this summer while running my
husband's business.  During calls & visits to one of his wholesalers, I
realized that one particular salesperson has been treating me as less
than a customer & it's apparent that it's because I am female.  He puts
me on hold with the comment, "I'm dealing with a customer."  (Like, what
am I?  A garden slug?)  When I was next in line at their premises & he
was free, he waved to the salesperson next to him & said pointedly to
me, "*He* can help you," then took the client behind me.  The second
salesperson was still helping someone else & was openly shocked &
disapproving of the first guy's comment & demeanor.  It's not pretty &
I've got a few choice words saved up for him the next time he pulls one
of these stunts.  [Looking at mail.]  Oooh, happy, I got another
purchase order today & need to go buy some simms from there.  Just may
get my chance.
Leona Payne
... "Uniforms?  But how will my homies recognize me without my Ben Davis 
shirt?
--- Via Silver Xpress V4.3P SW12194
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