Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!bloom-beacon!gatech!mcnc!rti!tijc02!dlk411
From: dlk411@tijc02.UUCP (Dianne King         )
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Sexual selection
Message-ID: <216@tijc02.UUCP>
Date: 4 Apr 88 22:16:16 GMT
References: <1566@mmm.UUCP> <3138@arthur.cs.purdue.edu> <1164@microsoft.UUCP> <25746@cca.CCA.COM> <1805@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Organization: Texas Instr., Johnson City TN
Lines: 41

> I find it interesting that the previous posters refer to polygamy in the past tense.  I have observed a phenomenon which I would consider the modern
> equivalent of polygamy.  In a large corporation (such as the one I
> work for) there is a definite correlation between status and number
> of 'daytime wives' (also known as secretaries).  The lowest status
> males (technical aides, manufacturing shop personnel) cannot
> even ask a female to do a task.  Medium status males (engineers)
> share the use of a female ona ratio of about one female per ten
> males.  High status males (management) have dedicated use of one
> female per male, and the highest status males (officers) have
> more than one each.  The status (salary) of the female is tied to
> the stat (level of management) of the male, rather than any
> measure of competance for the female.
> 
> All the 'daytime wives' are in addition to the nighttime wives.
> Here too, there is a progression.  There is a definite correlation
> betweemale status and probability of having a nighttime wife.
> 
> Dani Eder/Boeing/Space Station Program/ssc-vaeder

Dani - please note the absence of :-) in my response.

I am an engineer with access to a shared secretary, but I am not a
medium status male.  I am sure my husband would agree.  Nor would I
consider my supervisor who has the majority of one secretary's time
a high status male.  I am sure her husband would also agree.  Hopefully
you do not have a significant amount of input into hiring decisions.

I find it more difficult to comment on the sexist secretary remarks
as I have only seen female secretaries after working for several 
companies.  However, I am sure there are many unemployed males who would
accept these positions if offered, and if it had been a serious career
alternative might have developed the necessary skills.

And about that correlation between professional use of a secretary
and spouses.  What about the other factors such as age - with increased
experience comes a greater chance for promotion.  With increased age
comes a greater chance for having found the 'right' mate.  But I am sure
your sexist conclusions were much more convenient for your invalid comment
on polygomous relationships.

Dianne King