Jenifer
I'm a graduating college student. It's end of term. So
these days, I get asked a lot of the same, old questions. Every time
someone asks me "Oh, so what do you study (little girl)?", I wince, knowing the
reaction my response is going to elicit. "Mechanical Engineering," I say,
slowly, so they can take in all the syllables.
Most people get this flash across their face, this quick look of a confused
deer, darting logic about in their minds for an answer to this conundrum of
gender. Then, "Oh. (Pause) Good for you!" This is generally said with a
mixed sentiment of awe, disbelief, and, well, pity.
WTF? Why is this still something to be surprised about? Hell, I
wouldn't even mind the surprise if there wasn't that disbelief behind it.
I get major shit for being a woman in science, and there is nothing but
antiquated gender stereotypes behind it. And the worst part is, when
people find out that, no, I do not have a 4.0 GPA, that I stick with this
despite the fact that I have to work hard for some of my B+'s, I become
less-than. Somehow it all makes sense - women don't belong in my line of
work, or they wouldn't have to work so hard.
Luckily, many people I work with in engineering are beyond this and see me
for who I am. This attitude extends to most women. But it's everyone
else I have to deal with in this world that only serves to convince me daily
that the Heartless Bitches of the world need to unite and combine their
firepower, so to speak.
While we're on the subject of people who think science is too hard for
women, how about women who think science [or even logic or handiness] is too
hard for themselves? I accept that many people, regardless of gender, are
not inclined toward mathematical pursuits. But come on now - if I can
manage to read and understand Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is it too much to ask you
to be able to assemble a bookshelf or understand (roughly) how your computer
works? *sigh*
People devise their own states of helplessness, and I think that's what
pisses me off the most. If we had a higher premium on personal
responsibility, maybe I wouldn't get these surprised,
I-was-expecting-you-to-say-Arts responses, and maybe women everywhere would get
a little less flak for daring to be well-rounded and take care of
themselves.
Yes! I want to read more from Real Life Heartless Bitches
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