Women, men, and Harvey Weinstein
Why, when talking about education and promotions, the mainstream media voice is that gender differences are minimal:
- American Psychological Association: Men and Women: No Big Difference: Studies show that one’s sex has little or no bearing on personality, cognition and leadership.
- The Telegraph: Men and women do not have different brains, claims neuroscientist
- Euroscientist: Two myths shattered: the gender differences in leadership and the glass ceiling for women
- American Psychological Association: Think Again: Men and Women Share Cognitive Skills
But when Harvey Weinstein assaults, everybody sees him behaving as a man, not a person in power:
- L.A. Times: Q&A: Judd Apatow on Harvey Weinstein, sexual harassment and how to stop abusive men in power
- L.A. Times: Here’s a look at 26 newsmakers accused of sexual harassment, assault or related behavior (All men. Where is the call for equal representation?)
- NBC: Woody Allen’s Weinstein Comments Example of ‘Men Protecting Men,’ Activist Says
Are there minimal gender differences, in which case should we treat Weinstein as a person, not a man, and expect that women with the same power will behave similarly?
Or do genders differ, in which case should treat them differently?
Do people look think men are sexual predators for being male? Do people think women are bad drivers or deserve less pay for being women? Is one view sexist but not the other?
If women haven’t held institutional authority, how can we say they wouldn’t behave like men? If we do, on what grounds, besides saying that men and women are different?
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