Peter Schaeffer
Aug 22, 2017 · 2 min read

The ‘paradox’ of greater sex differentiation in societies with greater sexual equality is easy to understand… That is, once you can think outside of the box of radical feminism. Radical feminism hold that nature either doesn’t exist or is a minor factor and sexism is profound. Reality is closer to, nature is profound, and sexism may or may not be strong. In more sexually liberated societies (Canada, Norway, Sweden, etc.) women are more free to do what they want and tend to pursue careers that reflect their preferences (veterinary medicine, pediatrics, psychology, law) all of which emphasize ‘people vs. things’. In less liberated societies, engineering may be one of the few careers open to women at all.

For a good article on this point, see “Why It’s Time To Stop Worrying About First World ‘Gender Gaps’” (http://quillette.com/2017/07/15/time-stop-worrying-first-world-gender-gaps/). Quotes

“With improved national wealth and equality of the sexes, it seems differences between men and women in personality traits do not diminish. On the contrary, the differences become conspicuously larger.”

“Using equal representation to measure equality between the sexes leads to false conclusions. For example, a 2015 World Economic Forum (WEF) report ranked Rwanda as being the 6th most progressive country in the world with respect to gender. Canada ranked an abysmal 30th place, and the United States ranked 28th place.”

Rwanda as a paradise of sexual liberation? Who knew?

These ‘facts’ (a four-letter word with a s) easily explain the rise and fall of women in Tech. In the 1950s, Tech was one of the less discriminatory professions (towards women) and women flocked to it. Later more naturally female professions opened up (veterinary medicine, pediatrics, psychology, law) and women moved into higher status (and better paying) fields that they liked better.

The reality of greater sexual differentiation in more equal societies is actually a test of who’s worldview is closer to reality. If Giglio was/is right, we would see more women in Engineering in more equal societies. If Damore was/is right, we would expect to see fewer. The answer is obvious, Giglio 0 — Damore 1.

Note that test scores (PISA 2015) are more divergent in more equal societies. The effect is small and the r2 isn’t great. However, the results are the exact opposite of what radical feminism predicts.

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    Peter Schaeffer

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