There are never going to be equal percentages of women and men in any field that requires skills that are sex linked. Never. Life's not fair, but I prefer it to the alternatives.
I was working with the Boston Fire Dept back in the 1970's when they first were considering allowing women on the force. I remember the same kind of, even more deeply felt, arguments: Women on average aren't as strong as men etc etc. Sounds good, I'd just point to some pot-bellied, 60 year old, rheumy looking wheezing chain-smoker firefighter and comment that I think we should make him the standard they're referring to since he seems to have a job and no one is complaining about his abilities. Whenever someone suggests changing the status quo the highest possible standard is pushed forward by the objectors rather than the only fair one which would be the lowest: It's fair when someone of that gender (race, whatever) is hired who is as good as the weakest hire of the majority group, not the strongest hire. -- -Barry Shein Software Tool & Die | bzs@world.std.com | http://www.TheWorld.com Purveyors to the Trade | Voice: 617-739-0202 | Login: 617-739-WRLD The World | Public Access Internet | Since 1989 *oo*