I'm going on the side of equal but different.
Women can do things men can't and men can do things women can't. Both excell at different things.
I read a study once that said that men focused better. Explaining why men often jump ahead in their field. Discounting political and economic sexism by men or misongystic cultures, it is interesting that more men are often credited with sceintific discoveries, works of art, generally at anything that takes a lot of focus. Not to say women don't crack and excell at those fields or can't, just that there is a HIGHER PROPORTION of men. Even in examples such as art or music where both sexes seem to perform the same way, we can recall more men than women.
On the other side, women are far beter are multitasking. Which proves why they excel are especially verbal and all linguistic skills. They excel in fields which require a lot of hands on and a lot of things gong on at once.
Whether this has adapted through gender roles or where always there who knows.
I have always been one to argue that women and men are equal, but different. The most obvious case, men cannot give birth.
Before both side laigh at this, there are many sensitive men who would like or try to have that bond, or at leadst to prove that it isn't as hard as women make it out to be...
But the truth is we can't. Just as women will never be as strong or as fast as the male speices on average.
Neither is to say one is better. Just different. There are probably many more differences.
Womens liberation was fundamental in bringing the balance back from a culture that was very misogynistic. However as we continue, the separations are more obvious, and even women will argue this.
The glass celing for example. Many reports suggest that it's not because women are incapable that they hit this celing, it's for two other reasons.
1. Family. They want to get pregnant. Ok, a very noble cause. But if this is your goal then is it insane or even sexist to suggest you might get passed over? If a company is going to miss you for 6 months to a year then perhaps that's is a real concern in a competitive job market. Nothing against this choice, I have all the love in the world, and if guys could do it then I'm sure we would share the responsibility. But we can't. Does that mean women should get both? Again, equal but different. You still have the choice.
2. Competition. It has been shown that women often DON'T ASK for rasises or advancement. One study had it at about 5-1. If women were more aggressive in job advancement, I'm sure they would get what they want. It has been shown that men, whether correctly or often incorrectly, will take credit and seek advancement, where women will wat for their due rewards. In a society where one boss takes care of so many people, those wanting to advance need to speak up.
Some women do, and some get that. The ones that do rise very quickly. Contrary to belief (and I htink I have a collegue that agrees) while there may be a few 'old boys clubs' left, for the most part it is very refreshing to find a female rising to the challenge AND effectively promoting herself.
As someone who has been in the hiring process, I can honestly say I have never let sex get in the way of my decision. I have however found more men givging me the answers I was looking for. So make of that what you will. On the flip side when I find an exception female employee I tend to give her the nod over the gents. There's a stereotype against males. I tend to find females more loyal and less subversive then their male counterparts.
So it goes both ways.
IN conclusion. Equal but different. In the IQ question, I'm sure women do better at come things (like linguistics) and men do better in others (like math)
Can't we all just get along?>
