bad decisions and fairness

I have often discussed in class an example from Lani Guinier’s 1994 book, The Tyranny of the Majority, that deals with notions of fairness and rules of the game. Consider a road race in which the first-place finisher wins $10,000, and all other participants are banned from future competition. Consider, by comparison, a road race […]

families and the academy.

I’ve been thinking about writing this post for a week now, ever since I saw a presentation by the ASA’s Director of Research – the venerable Roberta Spalter-Roth – at the Work and Family Researchers Network (WFRN) Conference in New York City.* But, I just wasn’t sure where to start. Until today, when a colleague […]

every rose has its thorn

I know yesterday was Valentine’s Day, so this post might seem a bit late. But it’s Susan B. Anthony Day, which is as good a day as any to turn to the thorny relationship between women, love, and education. This past weekend, Stephanie Coontz wrote an encouraging opinion piece in the NY Times that asserts […]

same-sex marriage and the courts

I am, of course, thoroughly delighted with the California federal court’s decision overturning Prop. 8 as unconstitutional under the due process and equal protection clauses, doubly so because the judge, Vaughn Walker, is a card-carrying conservative. I am also thoroughly delighted with the Massachusetts federal court’s ruling the DOMA is unconstitutional on grounds of states’ […]

50th anniversary of the pill

Happy birthday, The Pill! (Also, May the Fourth be with you–I’m sorry; I couldn’t help myself.)

on the robustness of evolutionary explanations

I just finished reading Rosemary Hopcroft’s interesting article, Gender Inequality in Interaction – an Evolutionary Account (Social forces 87:4, June 2009). If I understand the article correctly, it argues essentially that frequent female deference to men is (a) well demonstrated; (b) subconscious; and (c) the result of evolutionary pressures. There’s an interesting spin, which is […]

getting there

We put the tree up on Sunday, like a real family: holiday music, fireplace on, lights and ornaments everywhere, dog meandering through everything constantly. It was great. Kid put all his ornaments in one section of the tree, which is even merrier than the rest of the tree. Awesome cupcakes baked for the bakesale, for […]

the busy times

December is the season of failure for academic women. Writing deadlines succumb to deadlines to order next semester’s books, write the final exams, and alas, grade. Students whom you have encouraged to meet with you all semester suddenly take you up on it. Coffee dates “before the semester ends” emerge out of nowhere. And holiday […]

you say potato, i say potato.

I was looking for the Journal of Applied Psychology‘s article that sparked the media frenzy today over the link between gender role orientations and salary when I noticed this slight difference between the BBC and many of the other news sources:

if you wear lipstick, who knows what will happen to you?

Government officials in Kota Bharu, a northern Malaysian city, have issued guidelines to women on how to dress in order to preserve their dignity and avoid rape: Azman Mohamad Daham, a spokesman for Kota Bharu municipality, said the latest suggestion contained in leaflets was part of a two-year old campaign. “We just distribute pamphlets,” he […]

adventures in new york

So this morning I’m calling to set up an appointment to get my hair cut. Shamus: I need a hair cut. Salon: Great! [Details...] Oh! And we’re having a special right now. With a hair cut you get a free make-up consult. Shamus: Um… I’m single. [Meaning: there's no one in my life who could […]

up to my elbows in glitter

Showing great perseverance for a 3.5-year old, the Kid made four hand-crafted valentines for his classmates. He has 25 classmates. Also, Kid is superexcited because his class is making heart-shaped pizzas for snack. Cannot beat that.