Whatever it takes to get some equality of input, from both halves of the 50/50 gender split, into directing the various elements of human affairs; input developed from their different perspectives. Surely that would be of benefit to social progress for all.

Some societies seem to have gone a long way towards that, some haven’t.

Having had my say I will retire from the fray – take off the battle uniform, and get into mufti. Perhaps I will pull a burka over my head to contemplate other societies: that of Gro Harlem Brundtland for a start; then raise a glass to toast Hildegard of Bingen while relaxing to her music.

The author is not happy with NSW and QLD in being run by female pollies. Added to that the current PM with the emasculated males nodding their heads behind her on the cameras. It looks like Mr Rudd is about to join these men by standing behind the one who knifed him. Feminism has led to fatherless kids by thousands and many incompetent people in power who should not be there. By all means have woman who have made it on merit in power but this feminist stuff is as our current opposition leader called man made climate change. How many more Government positions are going to be made to promote this rubbish. Was the Victorian Police force given a token woman in the recent past? Anyone seen how pathetically feminist our police forces have become over the last 30 years. Even the most strident feminist would have to be embarassed.

Women still rely upon men to promote them they cant do it for themselves. The Queen, The Governor General, The NSW State Premier and the PM all unelected all appointed by men,

vanna:"If women are so good at work, then how come nearly every patent and piece of technology is developed by a male."

very true indeed.

Men and women evolved for different roles.

Like the Talibans, feminism is women's rights (which is a good cause) gone extreme.

It’s easy to be confused by the interplay of the passage of time with social change. Women over 50 are of a generation who were criticised for working, discouraged by policies and denied opportunities. Women under 40 will catch up in work participation though there will be a lag effect due to the gradual introduction of feminist policy and related cultural change. Many people still criticise women for working, particularly working mothers. As care duty (children, the elderly, disabled) falls radically disproportionately onto women, the capacity to both work and care remains difficult due to the shortage of quality, affordable care (think of convincing your boss to allow you to work 9.30am to 2.30pm only while your kids are in school, assuming you don’t have a two hour daily commute). And what of women caring for the elderly and disabled? My (PT working) mother has cared for all four of my grandparents in my parents' home, as they have each come to need assistance. Nevertheless, reduced discrimination will enable greater participation in the future as policies take gradual effect. We’re in a period of massive social change. You can’t blame the lag effect of the past, on policies that weren’t in action when those behaviours were established. You can’t criticise the non-working women of history for their poor showing in invention. Geez – women were hardly going to be highly represented amongst inventors when they were not educated or employed (the source of most inventions despite notable exceptions to the rule). Women are now highly represented in the world of invention – research shows this. Social change of this magnitude takes generations. Nevertheless, the evidence of change and of the benefit of change is already clear. Apply a bit of common sense - think through the passage of time more carefully. Satisfying article Eileen.

colinsett, "Having had my say I will retire from the fray – take off the battle uniform, and get into mufti. Perhaps I will pull a burka over my head to contemplate other societies: that of Gro Harlem Brundtland for a start; then raise a glass to toast Hildegard of Bingen while relaxing to her music."

Heh, heh, accurate and very funny.

Thanks for that and have a good weekend.