When Larry Summers1 suggested three and a half years ago that "innate differences between men and women might be one reason fewer women succeed in science and math careers"2 I argued that "there are good reasons to think that the paucity of women in tenured
math and science positions is not related to innate ability."
In today's issue of Science we read
In today's issue of Science we read
Our analysis shows that, for grades 2 to 11, the general population no longer shows a gender difference in math skills, consistent with the gender similarities hypothesis. There is evidence of slightly greater male variability in scores, although the causes remain unexplained. Gender differences in math performance, even among high scorers, are insufficient to explain lopsided gender patterns in participation in some STEM fields.I'm pleased to see that my suspicion turned out to be correct, but that's not why I'm writing.
The more important point is that it really doesn't matter whether differences in mathematics ability are "innate" or "culturally determined." Again, here's what I had to say three years ago:3
1Then President of Harvard University.
2The quotation is from a Boston Globe report on his comments.
3I've fixed a few typos, but other than that I just copied and pasted.
[C]onsider this question: "Suppose we learned that there was an innate difference between men and women in mathematical ability. What ought we to do differently as a result?" I submit that knowing that there is an "innate" difference would have exactly zero effect. We already know that human abilities in many areas, including areas of intellectual achievement, are enormously plastic and strongly influenced by circumstance. Why else would we worry so much about differences in the level of investment and educational environment provided among public schools?
Suppose it were true that men, on average, were better at math than women. It does not follow that any particular will be more skilled than any particular woman. World-class male marathoners finish the Boston Marathon before women in the same race, but the world-class women finish far ahead of the vast majority of men. There's every reason to expect the same with respect to aptitude for math and science.
Our objective ought to be to identify and remove obstacles wherever they are found so that all people, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, are able to reach their full potential.
1Then President of Harvard University.
2The quotation is from a Boston Globe report on his comments.
3I've fixed a few typos, but other than that I just copied and pasted.
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