Scan barcode
A review by kendalljl
Gender Mosaic: Beyond the Myth of the Male and Female Brain by Daphna Joel, Luba Vikhanski
4.0
Gender Mosaic reads a bit like a dissertation (I'm sensing a theme with the books I read) and hypothesizes that brains are not singularly male or female, but that each brain is made up of a mosaic of characteristics, some male and some female.
Joel's argument is that while some characteristics may appear more frequently on the average men or women, using gender as a marker for interest or talent in specific areas is misguided because of each unique mosaic.
I liked her analysis on how gender differences are reported in popular media: even though studies often show that male and female brains are more similar than they are different, popular media (and even scientific journals) tend to focus on the differences more and to amplify those differences beyond their significance.
It made me think a lot about my internalized gender biases and how I expect myself (or others) to act based on them. Think about it: do you hear "maid" and think woman? Or hear "chess player" and think man? In 2020 I'm excited to start reframing the stereotypes I have when I come upon them.
Joel's argument is that while some characteristics may appear more frequently on the average men or women, using gender as a marker for interest or talent in specific areas is misguided because of each unique mosaic.
I liked her analysis on how gender differences are reported in popular media: even though studies often show that male and female brains are more similar than they are different, popular media (and even scientific journals) tend to focus on the differences more and to amplify those differences beyond their significance.
It made me think a lot about my internalized gender biases and how I expect myself (or others) to act based on them. Think about it: do you hear "maid" and think woman? Or hear "chess player" and think man? In 2020 I'm excited to start reframing the stereotypes I have when I come upon them.