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Out with pink and blue: Don't foster the gender divide

By Lise Eliot

14 July 2010

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

The difference between boys and girls lessens when it comes down to their academic skills

(Image: Cheyenne Glasgow/Gretty)

IN 2010 we need to ask afresh just how deep the rabbit hole goes when it comes to gender politics – and how far we are from digging ourselves out. Our beliefs about differences between the sexes have an impact on society vastly out of proportion to the magnitude of those differences, from female scientists defending their mathematical and technical expertise to boys accused of lacking the communication and emotional skills to succeed at school.

In truth, women are doing well in science:…

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