You Go Girl

Much has been written lately about males falling behind in school. When I taught first grade, the theory was that the predominantly female faculty in the elementary grades presented material which favored female learning style; one which was less physical and more dependent on language and verbal/listening skills. Thus, the gap between educational success in males and females may have begun in the primary grades.

This month came news that less males were enrolled in higher education/college, and that in this setting, too they were not as proficient as females. Is this a continuation of the trend that began in elementary setting? Or is this a sign of a tendency of laziness displayed by males in our society? Perhaps Jack knows that the 'good ole boy' network won't let him down in the end? Somehow "he" not "she" will ultimately prove to be the "best man for the job." Why expend energy in study and work early in life when it isn't necessary?

If we know that females perform at a higher intellectual level than do the males, and are more intuitive, are better 'multi-taskers,' why then don't women hold public office and corporate leadership jobs and pay rates at a higher rates or even equal rates than men? Aren't intelligence, positive work ethic, tenacity, and intuitiveness the skills needed for leadership? How is it then that men can forge ahead later in life, and grab the management jobs if they are such slackers in school?

One suggestion was that in the past, women never played team sports, for it is in such a setting that humans learn cooperation and acceptance of criticism. But today women DO play team sports. Can they now learn to accept criticism, embrace it, learn from it and forge ahead? Learn to ignore the name-calling and ostracism that doing a job well sometimes brings to females in our society? Begin to feel secure as they fight for the right to be at the top of the heap? Can they form a "gal pal" network of their own? One which not only rivals the "good ole boy" one, but which surpasses it? Who better than women to offer a 'hand up' to support to a fella female?

It's time, not for a new feminist movement, but for a movement which would lead society to a more equal and honest place. And woman must fearlessly lead the way.