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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