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Recently I was suggested a book to read: “WHY MEN DON'T LISTEN AND WOMEN CAN'T READ MAPS”
It talks about the differences between the 2 genders that are are wired into the brain & won’t change.
I haven’t read the book yet but I have a very pertinent question about it.
[THREAD]
It talks about the differences between the 2 genders that are are wired into the brain & won’t change.
I haven’t read the book yet but I have a very pertinent question about it.
[THREAD]
Let’s read the title again:
WHY MEN DON'T LISTEN & WOMEN CAN'T READ MAPS
My problem is with the auxiliary verbs used in the title: “DON’T” & “CAN’T”
Both those words have vastly different meanings. Focus on those words and read the sentence again.
Do you see the problem now?
WHY MEN DON'T LISTEN & WOMEN CAN'T READ MAPS
My problem is with the auxiliary verbs used in the title: “DON’T” & “CAN’T”
Both those words have vastly different meanings. Focus on those words and read the sentence again.
Do you see the problem now?
“Men DON’T listen” - implies that men make the conscious decision to not listen. They could listen, if they wanted to, i.e. they have the ability to listen, but they don’t - for whatever reason.
On the other hand when it comes to women, it becomes: “Women CAN’T read maps”!
On the other hand when it comes to women, it becomes: “Women CAN’T read maps”!
The meaning changes entirely.
CAN’T implies that women don’t have the skill or the inherent ability to read a map.
As if the female brains cannot learn the basic skill of reading a map even if women made the effort.
CAN’T implies that women don’t have the skill or the inherent ability to read a map.
As if the female brains cannot learn the basic skill of reading a map even if women made the effort.
The sentence could’ve been “WON’T read a map”-but that would mean that women have some agency.
WON’T / DON’T would mean that women are choosing not to read maps.
But apparently women CANNOT? They are helpless? They are stupid? They aren’t allowed? I’m not sure about the reason.
WON’T / DON’T would mean that women are choosing not to read maps.
But apparently women CANNOT? They are helpless? They are stupid? They aren’t allowed? I’m not sure about the reason.
Hence, going by the title, I’m not expecting much by the book.
The same patriarchal gender roles are being enforced in the same kind of language, where the male gender has control & the female gender has none.
Once I do get around to reading it, I’ll examine it in more detail.
The same patriarchal gender roles are being enforced in the same kind of language, where the male gender has control & the female gender has none.
Once I do get around to reading it, I’ll examine it in more detail.
Side note:
Yesterday somebody made a snarky comment about “rich English vocabulary” but I hope this thread can help people see that while vocab is great, “robust English grammar” might be what helps you more in the long run.
Yesterday somebody made a snarky comment about “rich English vocabulary” but I hope this thread can help people see that while vocab is great, “robust English grammar” might be what helps you more in the long run.
