my thoughts on this are: I would like to see the stats regarding what types of degrees that are being issued. From what I understand, it is still difficult for a woman in the 'hard' science fields. Also, what are the stats of male/female in the population in correspondence to the actual percentage of male/females getting the degrees. Ethnicity should count as well, for it is not considered popular in certain circles(it's too white, perhaps) for male blacks to get college educated. Another thought would be, is the current female population who are getting degrees older, as in they've gone back to school after rearing children or are they single mothers trying to improve their lot. Scholarships are also lacking for the middle class, or if you don't belong to a special interest.
Overall, I have to agree, though, it appears there is a disconcerting lack of males who are pursuing college education.
Yes, I'd like to see the breakdowns of the figures.
In my work in Russia in the university, the truth was that the girls were far more dedicated than the boys.
This might have been the nature of the Russian male in a patriarchal [though changing] society. It was almost de rigeur among them to disdain study, whereas the girl still had the 'good little girl' mindset which said that one should get the maximum result possible with one's abilities.
My personal charges were almost all girls - i.e. those students who sought me out to guide them in their dissertations. There were boys but not many.
Obviously, I'm not in a position to extrapolate that to the western sphere.
You mention the female going back for mature age degrees - this is quite prevalent too.
I've been naughty in this post because it was presented as a bald stats and could be seen as a criticism, whereas I personally admire people who charge ahead to complete a degree, whoever they are.
If they are female, so be it. Coming back to my last 12 years of work, it was almost entirely that - supporting females to get their qualifications.
That's why for me to put these bald stats up was naughty.
you've been naughty,eh?! Twenty lashes for ye then... ;)
had to cringe at your mention of 'mature age degree'. I currently fit into that category... :/ :)
Your time in Russia sounds interesting. We've American friends who've lived there for almost 15yrs now (as missionaries). Their oldest has married a Russian girl. It's a very interesting culture. At one of my earlier jobs, a co-worker was teaching me some Russian. Very neat language.
It would be interesting to see overall why boys are not pursuing higher education. Possibly, they have job choices which pay well enough that they do not need to seek a degree; whereas 'women's work' traditionally pays lower, therefore the incentive for a better education.
Well, Sir James, I believe there is another factor. As college education became common rather than exceptional, it was not primarily due to increased means and the removal of obstacles so much as it was the lowering of standards in our rage for equality. There is very much less value in this present incarnation, with poorer students, poorer professors, and poorer curriculum; and a great deal more indigestion.
Images abound. Males are particularly put off by this stew, and females don't know what else to do--lacking in the reckless benefits of testosterone--so they plunge ahead.
Dalrymple believes this is a primary source of the growing State; poorly and badly educated college graduates who know nothing, have no skills, and no ideas except that their collar should be white. The government has raised them, and the government shall see to it these voters have work. Teachers get first call, and we repeat ourselves. California has now two and one-half million STATE workers alone. Throw in teachers, federal employees, and everybody's family, count the votes, and calculate your bankruptcy, fiscal, intellectual, and moral.
My finals consisted of a three-hour exam in the morning and another in the afternoon for three consecutive days followed by a weekend, then followed by three more days like the first three.
And coursework didn't count for anything, as long as you passed the end-of-term and end-of-year exams each time.
Such a regime suits the male temperament rather well; the current fashions do not.
You can argue all you like about which is better/more relevant/a finer preparation for life/a way of choosing the next generation of academics or engineers, etc etc etc.
That's the U.S.A. I wonder what the situation is in the U.K.?
my thoughts on this are:
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the stats regarding what types of degrees that are being issued. From what I understand, it is still difficult for a woman in the 'hard' science fields.
Also, what are the stats of male/female in the population in correspondence to the actual percentage of male/females getting the degrees.
Ethnicity should count as well, for it is not considered popular in certain circles(it's too white, perhaps) for male blacks to get college educated.
Another thought would be, is the current female population who are getting degrees older, as in they've gone back to school after rearing children or are they single mothers trying to improve their lot.
Scholarships are also lacking for the middle class, or if you don't belong to a special interest.
Overall, I have to agree, though, it appears there is a disconcerting lack of males who are pursuing college education.
Yes, I'd like to see the breakdowns of the figures.
ReplyDeleteIn my work in Russia in the university, the truth was that the girls were far more dedicated than the boys.
This might have been the nature of the Russian male in a patriarchal [though changing] society. It was almost de rigeur among them to disdain study, whereas the girl still had the 'good little girl' mindset which said that one should get the maximum result possible with one's abilities.
My personal charges were almost all girls - i.e. those students who sought me out to guide them in their dissertations. There were boys but not many.
Obviously, I'm not in a position to extrapolate that to the western sphere.
You mention the female going back for mature age degrees - this is quite prevalent too.
I've been naughty in this post because it was presented as a bald stats and could be seen as a criticism, whereas I personally admire people who charge ahead to complete a degree, whoever they are.
If they are female, so be it. Coming back to my last 12 years of work, it was almost entirely that - supporting females to get their qualifications.
That's why for me to put these bald stats up was naughty.
you've been naughty,eh?! Twenty lashes for ye then... ;)
ReplyDeletehad to cringe at your mention of 'mature age degree'. I currently fit into that category... :/ :)
Your time in Russia sounds interesting. We've American friends who've lived there for almost 15yrs now (as missionaries). Their oldest has married a Russian girl. It's a very interesting culture. At one of my earlier jobs, a co-worker was teaching me some Russian. Very neat language.
It would be interesting to see overall why boys are not pursuing higher education. Possibly, they have job choices which pay well enough that they do not need to seek a degree; whereas 'women's work' traditionally pays lower, therefore the incentive for a better education.
Well, Sir James, I believe there is another factor. As college education became common rather than exceptional, it was not primarily due to increased means and the removal of obstacles so much as it was the lowering of standards in our rage for equality. There is very much less value in this present incarnation, with poorer students, poorer professors, and poorer curriculum; and a great deal more indigestion.
ReplyDeleteImages abound. Males are particularly put off by this stew, and females don't know what else to do--lacking in the reckless benefits of testosterone--so they plunge ahead.
Dalrymple believes this is a primary source of the growing State; poorly and badly educated college graduates who know nothing, have no skills, and no ideas except that their collar should be white. The government has raised them, and the government shall see to it these voters have work. Teachers get first call, and we repeat ourselves.
California has now two and one-half million STATE workers alone. Throw in teachers, federal employees, and everybody's family, count the votes, and calculate your bankruptcy, fiscal, intellectual, and moral.
Oh yes, xlbrl, I'm poised to go down the road but it would be a long series of posts.
ReplyDeleteIt's the triumph of coursework made visible!
ReplyDeleteMy finals consisted of a three-hour exam in the morning and another in the afternoon for three consecutive days followed by a weekend, then followed by three more days like the first three.
And coursework didn't count for anything, as long as you passed the end-of-term and end-of-year exams each time.
Such a regime suits the male temperament rather well; the current fashions do not.
You can argue all you like about which is better/more relevant/a finer preparation for life/a way of choosing the next generation of academics or engineers, etc etc etc.
I have a feeling I know who you are, Anon, under a different blogger name. :)
ReplyDelete