gender bias news stories on Newser

Strauss-Kahn Lawsuit: He Hates Women

Kevin Spak — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:33:34 CDT

Nafissatou Diallo has added a new wrinkle to her lawsuit against Dominique Strauss-Kahn, arguing that he hates women and that his alleged rape of her hence amounted to gender violence, the Guardian reports. "Strauss-Kahn's conduct towards women generally is, and more specifically his sexual assault of Ms. Diallo was, motivated...

Teacher Bias Hurts Girls in Math

Neal Colgrass — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:26:15 CDT

White girls can't add? According to a national survey, high school teachers rate the math skills of white girls as being lower than those of white boys, even when their test scores are comparable, LiveScience reports. Calling the bias "relatively small in magnitude," two researchers at the University of Texas...

Afghan Man Strangles Wife for Having Girl

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:22:39 CST

An Afghan militiaman strangled his wife for giving birth to a third daughter instead of a son, according to law enforcement authorities. The 28-year-old victim was killed in her home in the northern province of Kunduz by her husband and his mother just three months after the woman had the...

Critics Bash Sexist 'Girly' Legos

Mark Russell — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:23:42 CST

A new line of Legos made especially for girls just doesn't stack up for critics who complain the Lego Friends' line is needlessly gender-biased, reports the LA Times . With bright colors, stylish clothes, and slim female figurines, Lego Friends is facing online petitions and strong words from the International Association...

'Hormone Case' Guys Not Fit for Politics

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:01:08 CDT

Get a grip, fellas. Obviously, many of you have runaway hormone issues that make it impossible for you to behave responsibly in public office. Yet popular culture has always insisted that "women can't be be trusted in positions of power because their judgment might be addled by raging hormones," writes...

Fox News Nails J. Crew for Boy's Pink Polish

Mary Papenfuss — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:00:00 CDT

If there's one thing that Fox News cannot abide, it's pink nail polish on a little boy. Now he and the nation are apparently in for a world of psychological pain and years of therapy. And it's all because of a J. Crew email ad that featured a mom painting...

Duke Frat Under Fire for 'Slut' Emails

Mary Papenfuss — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:23:00 CDT

Just weeks after a crude Yale frat chant landed the Ivy in hot water, a series of fraternity emails calling female students sluts is sparking a campus gender war at Duke University. The emails, sent by Sigma Nu, invited women to attend the frat's Halloween party dressed up as a...

Wanted: Women for Co-ed Navy Submarine

Emily Rauhala — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 05:43:43 CDT

The Navy is finally integrating submarines. Recruiting for an initial 19 female officers is underway and starting in late next year or early 2012, women will be serving alongside men. One Navy rep admitted the change was "probably overdue" and downplayed concerns over having women aboard. "The change to the...

China Faces a Future With Too Many Men

Nick McMaster — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:06:13 CDT

China has made astounding advances in recent decades, but a destabilizing gender imbalance threatens the country's progress. The one-child policy combined with a marked preference for sons has led to skewed gender ratios: in some areas, up to 168 males for every 100 females. Authorities fear young men who are...