The Mathematics of Sex: How Biology and Society Conspire to Limit Talented Women and Girls |  | Authors: Stephen J. Ceci, Wendy M. Williams
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
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Rating:  1 reviews
Sales Rank: 172803
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 0195389395
Dewey Decimal Number: 305.435
EAN: 9780195389395
ASIN: 0195389395
Publication Date: September 2, 2009
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Product Description
Nearly half of all physicians and biologists are females, as are the majority of new psychologists, veterinarians, and dentists, suggesting that women have achieved equality with men in the workforce. But the ranks of professionals in math-intensive careers remain lopsidedly male; up to 93% of tenure-track academic positions in some of the most mathematically-oriented fields are held by men.
Three main explanations have been advanced to explain the dearth of women in math-intensive careers, and in The Mathematics of Sex, Stephen J. Ceci and Wendy M. Williams describe and dissect the evidence for each. The first explanation involves innate ability--male brains are physiologically optimized to perform advanced mathematical and spatial operations; the second is that social and cultural biases inhibit females' training and success in mathematical fields; the third alleges that women are less interested in math-intensive careers than are men, preferring people-oriented pursuits. Drawing on research in endocrinology, economics, sociology, education, genetics, and psychology to arrive at their own unique, evidence-based conclusion, the authors argue that the problem is due to certain choices that women (but not men) are compelled to make in our society; that women tend not to favor math-intensive careers for certain reasons, and that sex differences in math and spatial ability cannot adequately explain the scarcity of women in these fields. The Mathematics of Sex represents the first time such a thorough synthesis of data has been carried out to solve the puzzle of women's underrepresentation in math-intensive careers. The result is a readable, engaging account suitable not only for academics in an array of disciplines, but for general readers as well--including educators, science policymakers, parents of daughters, and anyone intellectually curious about a key controversy of our time.
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| Customer Reviews:
Fair and Balanced Overview of Cogntive Research September 21, 2009
Sharon L. Presley
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
As a psychology professor who has taught Psychology of Women for many years, I am familiar with much of the research literature on gender comparisons of cognitive abilities. But even I learned a lot from this book. I was so impressed with it that I decided to review it here--my very first review on Amazon. It is far and away the fairest, most balanced and thorough overview of the research on this topic that I have ever seen or read (and I've read a few!). It looks at both the case for biological influences and environmental influences--dispassionately and carefully. The authors are well-known and well-regarded research psychologists so they know how to do their homework. This is in contrast to some books that just present their side or are superficial and present only a few studies. They even tell us that one of the author's minds was changed by what they found. A rare confession for an academic! In the spirit of true scholars, they also admit where there are gaps that are yet to be researched.
In my (educated) opinion, they come to a reasonable conclusion. There are probably biological influences but they are minor in comparison to social factors. They show that cultural factors have also play a role (they report studies from all over the world--a big plus since many books on this topics somehow assume that if it's true in the US, it can be generalized to everyone--an arrogant assumption). Since the author's specific purpose was to explain why math-talented women are underrepresented in math- and science-oriented careers, they also explore the reasons why. They conclude that it is not lack of math or spatial ability but rather preferences and limitations of academia. If you want to have a tenure track job in a science-oriented university, you have to really produce and publish. But this is right at the time when women are in their peak child-bearing years. If you don't publish enough, you don't get tenure. Many women really do have to choose between family and careers--which of course men do not have to do. There's more to the picture than that but this is the headline.
I cannot recommend this book too highly. It's not a pop psych book so having a background in research will help you understand some of it. But it's not ponderous. Any educated layperson will be able to read this well-written book and benefit from it. If you want the whole picture and just just part of it, read this book.
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