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From: linda@amdcad.UUCP (Linda Seltzer)
Newsgroups: net.women,net.singles
Subject: Re: career vs. relationships
Message-ID: <10415@amdcad.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Mar-86 22:54:50 EST
Article-I.D.: amdcad.10415
Posted: Fri Mar  7 22:54:50 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Mar-86 00:16:22 EST
References: <125@ttidcc.UUCP> <215@batcomputer.TN.CORNELL.EDU> <1951@hao.UUCP> <530@nrcvax.UUCP>
Organization: AMDCAD, Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 38
Xref: watmath net.women:9606 net.singles:10778
Summary: Families influence

> >
> >This society teaches its men to be independent.  Mothers tell their
> >sons, 'Johnny, if you don't do well in school you won't be able to get
> >a job when you grow up.' Fathers say, 'Get a job, son.  A REAL job.'
> >Daughters are indulged.  They are directed to take dance classes
> >instead of advanced algebra, art appreciation instead of physics, home
> >
> 
> Frankly, no it does not.  Because I don't believe all those things you
> said in the preceding paragraphs here.
> 
> Let's face it.  I'm average.  I came from a basic middle-class home.
> 
> At _no_ point in time was I instructed, intimidated or even had it
> implied that I should be anything less than everything I possibly
> could be.  I was always the tops in my class as far as academics went.
> I was continually encouraged to extend myself and reach for as much as
> I could possibly get out of life--this from family, friends and school
> personnel.  
> 

My experience was totally different.  I was told by my parents that
if I did not major in elementary education, and that if I did not live
at home until I was married, that they would not pay for my college
education (which, at that time, was at the University of Pennsylvania).
They also threatened to try to "take me out of school".  At the age of
17 I had to go to a lawyer to protect my enrollment status, and I 
also started supporting myself for my education.  My parents punished me
for receiving a prize in creative writing at my high school graduation.
Needless to say, I don't speak to them anymore.

As for art appreciation, I have a masters in EE, and am studying to
become a musician.  I think art is a great subject for women!  And
I would like to see the discrimination ended in the arts, with women
having the full opportunity to achieve in this area.  Sure, women
have plenty opportunities to design missiles and sell real estate,
let's do some of the enjoyable, spiritual things too!