Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 9/27/83; site hplabsb.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!hplabsb!pc From: pc@hplabsb.UUCP (Patricia Collins) Newsgroups: net.women Subject: Re: Stereotypes Message-ID: <2064@hplabsb.UUCP> Date: Wed, 8-Feb-84 13:28:08 EST Article-I.D.: hplabsb.2064 Posted: Wed Feb 8 13:28:08 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Feb-84 06:49:03 EST References: <6655@cca.UUCP> Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA Lines: 39 Saying that "All X are Y" is almost always refutable when X = {women, men} and Y = {assorted human attributes}. Stereotypes are the result of falaciously jumping from "Many X are Y" to "All X are Y." (Or in some cases, "I knew one X who was Y," therefore "All X are Y.") In the ideal, each X would be taken as an individual, judged by actions and intentions (if these could be known). The problem seems to be that people are unwilling/unable to judge individuals on their own merits. So, we have an attempt by the courts and the Congress to encourage a move away from obvious prejudicial practices. To follow up your example, not all mothers are the best careproviders for their children. The court is now encouraged to look at the individual parents and base custody awards on the parent's ability to provide a good environment for the children. In employment, our government has determined that the prejudicial activities are so far reaching and that employers are so unable to be impartial judges of ability, that some statistical employment guidelines have been mandated in the form of EEO/AA. The logic behind this (which I'm sure you know) is that "If there were no prejudicial hiring/promoting practices, women and minorities would be represented in the work place in proportion to their representation in the population [or in some cases, in proportion to their representation in the profession]. Therefore, the only measurable indication that there are no prejudicial practices is proof that women and minorities (and by deduction, men as well) are represented in the anticipated proportions." I find it infuriating when people tell me about the incompetent women/Blacks/Hispanics/... who have been hired "to meet quotas." There seems very little difference between this and the number of incompetent WASP males who used to be (and still are) hired in an effort to maintain the status quo. This is one soap box I feel compelled to stand on periodically. At least, until we can speak without pre-judging individuals. Patricia Collins hplabs