Sexual discrimination

Press, 9 August 1985, Page 16

Sexual discrimination

Sir, — The sexual discrimination of affirmative action initiated by the Government has begun. Unfortunately, it is based on three questionable assumptions: 1, women are worse off than men; 2, the majority of women want to assume “male” responsibilities; 3, women want preferential hiring. Western women have more votes and potential political power, more personal wealth. A greater proportion of the health care budget is spent on women, although males have more injuries during birth, stress diseases, work-related accidents, and a shorter life span. The law gives women lighter sentences for the same crime, custody of children more often, and the sole right to determine an abortion. Yet the majority of women still feel their prime responsibility is raising children and, therefore, prefer to stay at home. Most women prefer to compete for jobs on the strength of their abilities. Maybe it is men who are convincing women that garbage collecting is glamorous. — Yours, etc., MARGOT NEY, PHILIP G. NEY. August 2, 1985.