True Equality

When considering and discussing gender roles and gender gaps it is wise to tread lightly and carefully. With this issue it is easy to be misunderstood. So in expressing some thoughts and ideas which really transcend but do touch these issues I hope I can be understood. In a publication for The Computing Research Association Ron Wyden, a senator from Oregon, expressed his disappointment in the academic community for not complying more fully with the spirit of the law know as Title IX. He felt that government grants and other programs discouraged and hindered women from entering and succeeding in fields typically dominated by men. While I agree fully that woman are just as adept and capable as men in these and any other field, I have to disagree with this notion that we need to baby-sit these programs. When we force equal treatment we lose the opportunity for true equality. When we are compelled we loose the chance to change our attitudes and nature. We need to be fairer and give equal opportunities to all but we never will if we simple resorted to forcing ourselves to do so.