Posted by Racer on October 18, 2006, at 18:00:21
Yesterday, my maths instructor made a comment to me about my learning style: she said that my learning style isn't like the "girls." Instead, she said, my learning style was "more formalized, like the boys." That only slightly bothers me, because of course I am NOT a "boy."
But it also made me feel chuffed! THAT'S the part that bothered me. I'm uncomfortable that that was such a strong and automatic response: "Oh, I learn The Better Way."
Now, I am sure my learning style is partly formal and partly intuitive, like anyone else's, and that it's just a bit more formalized than is average for women in her experience. And I really like her, her teaching style works well for my learning style, so there's no criticism at all on that. Truth to tell, I also know that some of the need for formalization is related to anxiety/OCD.
I suppose that an argument could be made that it makes sense to be pleased that my learning style is more "masculine" when I'm studying a subject that is -- statistically, on average -- easier for that more masculine learning style. It's not a good argument, though, because this was a knee-jerk reaction.
Whatever the answer -- there's a very, very angry feminist in my soul, who is currently working to give me the sorest fanny in town!
poster:Racer
thread:695854
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20061012/msgs/695854.html