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February 10, 2012
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
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The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
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Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
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January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
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John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
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January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Jan. 24, 2005
/ 14 Shevat, 5765
The Nanny, the Harvard President and Maureen Dowd
By
Tom Purcell
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Tensions are growing in the battle of women vs. men.
Last week, the president of Harvard said innate biological differences may be the reason women don't do as well in math and science as men. He cautioned that more research is needed. And then he was assailed for having the audacity, as a university president, to comment on academic research.
The week before another item appeared. New York Times Columnist Maureen Dowd lamented that men are avoiding highly accomplished women. She said men prefer secretaries, flight attendants and nannies — women who will make them the center of their universe.
Both Dowd and the Harvard president are exactly right.
Decades of neurobiological research show biological differences between men and women do exist. One brain study shows that men listen with only one side of their noggin, whereas women use both. Another shows that women can listen to two separate conversations, whereas men can barely follow one.
The male brain takes in less sensory detail than a woman's, which is why it's harder for us to find items at the supermarket. It's also why we don't notice dust, which, apparently, is a collection of fine particles that settle on furniture.
With superior spatial skills, most men are better drivers than most women. Most men are better at math and science than most women. I know I can get arrested for saying this, but men and women are different.
Which brings us back to Dowd.
"Art is imitating life, turning women who seek equality into selfish narcissists and objects of rejection, rather than affection," she writes.
Maureen, Maureen, Maureen, men aren't avoiding highly accomplished women. We're avoiding highly accomplished women like you.
I spent six years in Washington, D.C., the land of highly accomplished women. These women, if you'll allow me to generalize, are passionate about their corporate careers. They eagerly log 60-hour workweeks. They are competitive, driven, ambitious.
They are neurotic, stressed out and unpleasant.
A typical date with such a lass involves: 1) listening about her job, 2) listening about her career, and, 3) listening about all the idiots who are standing in the way of her next promotion. To wit: dating a highly accomplished D.C. woman is like dating ourselves.
When a man dreams of a woman, Maureen, he dreams of a being distinctly different than himself. We long to be in the company of a soft, feminine, eloquent creature. She moves with an easiness and grace that sends an electric charge through every corpuscle in our body.
She is smarter than we are, but she listens, nurtures and reassures. Her presence fills us with peace, making our silly stresses go away. She reminds us what is important in life — beauty, family, charity, laughter. She reminds us how foolish, worldly and self-absorbed we usually are.
But these days, "she" has become "he." Most every television show and commercial portrays every man as a hapless idiot and every woman as the strong, smart, decisive savior. She is competitive and valiant and, like Jennifer Garner, she kicks the bejesus out of anything in her way.
We don't want women who kick, Maureen. Nothing makes a man less easy than a woman with a powerful kneecap.
I know you think you're progressive and that we are backwards, but you're wrong. In a truly progressive world, men and women will celebrate their unique differences. Women will be highly accomplished AND feminine and graceful — they'll even understand and appreciate how simple men really are.
Perhaps one day, university presidents will be able to discuss ANY research, even if it draws conclusions that are out of sync with the politically correct currents of the time.
But until then, we're going for the nannies, Maureen. I hope to marry one some day. In fact, I recently tried to hire one, but the nanny agency assured me I had to be a family.
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© 2005, Tom Purcell
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