Best of the Week
of Jan. 10, 1999
Here are the most intriguing cross-cultural exchanges either begun or
advanced during the week of Jan. 10, 1999, as selected by Y?
These postings, as well as "Best of the Week" entries from previous
weeks, also can be found in their respective
archives, which we invite you to browse.
There, you will find questions that have received answers, as well as
questions still awaiting responses. We encourage you to answer any
questions relevant to your demographic background, as well as to ask
any provocative question you desire. Answers posted are not
necessarily meant to represent the views of an entire demographic
group, but can provide a window into the insights of an individual
from that group.
First-time users should first make a quick stop at our
guidelines pages for asking and
answering questions.
Question Code
Key:
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A=Age
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GD=General
Diversity
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RE=Religion
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C=Class
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G=Geography
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SE=Sensitive
Matters
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D=Disabilities
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O=Occupation
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SO=Sexual
Orientation
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GE=Gender
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R=Race/Ethnicity
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G66: Do people living in the South
have more racist attitudes than people living in the North?
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Nicole, 21, white female <ngebhart@hotmail.com>, NJ
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THE QUESTION:
GD34: I'm clueless: What is an
aborigine?
POSTED OCT. 7, 1998
Doreen <rdcs1020@monmouth.com >, Long Branch, NJ
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
Aborigines are the true
owners of the land now known as Australia. There are like the Native
Americans, in that they are the owners or first habitants of the
land. They are very dark (like the regular Africans), but they have
broader noses and thick, curly hair. Do not get carried away with
television and think that Aborigines still live in caves. They are
regular people who wear clothes and live in houses, go to school,
etc.
POSTED OCT. 8, 1998
Ify <ifebigh77@hotmail.com>, Miami, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
I wish to correct Ify's
misconception that all Aborigines are black and have broad noses and
dark, curly hair. There was a governmental policy of "assimmilation"
put into place in Australia whereby children where taken from their
families because the government at the time believed they could
"breed the black out" and thus destroy our culture. This is known as
the "Stolen Generation." A peoples' culture can never be destroyed
unless the whole race is destroyed through an act of genocide. In
Australia, an Aborigine can have blonde hair, blue eyes and white
skin. It is a matter of identity. Australian Aboriginal is always
spelled with a capital A, and we were not recognized as people in our
own country until 1968, when we were given the right to vote through
an overwhelming majority referendum.
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Vikki, 47, Aboriginal female <macallev@mpx.com.au>, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
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THE QUESTION:
SO116: Do gay men really perceive
themselves as being either "bottoms" or "tops"? If so, what's the
criteria?
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Cliff R., 33, straight male, Tallahassee, FL
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THE QUESTION:
R577: A single black man from New
York recently moved into a house on our middle-class cul-de-sac. He
may be from a foreign country, though I'm not sure. We have driveways
averaging about 75 to 100 feet long. He has taken to parking his car
so that it faces outward at the very end of the driveway, so that the
front end almost touches the road. Why would he park his car so far
from his house, instead of in or near the garage? And why is it
bothering me?
POSTED JAN. 7, 1999
P., white, Florida
ANSWER 1:
I find that with immigrants,
any difference in behavior grates on me, even if it is insignificant,
like the example you gave. I think this is because people expect
conformity from those around them, and are disturbed when they see
nonconformity, especially in "suspicious" (ethnically different)
individuals. I think this is why the non-conformity you saw bothers
you.
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Mark S., 30, white male <xsites@aol.com>, Houston , TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
Clearly, he parked there to
avoid digging out! In the Northeast, we all park at the ends of our
driveways to avoid having to shovel out after a snow storm. Hope this
helps.
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Monica, female, Needham, MA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Why don't you ask him why he
does this, rather than defer the question to faceless masses? Would
it be that difficult to ask a civil question of someone of a race
other than your own?
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
G. Long, 37, black female <gelong@usa.net>, Chicago, IL
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THE QUESTION:
GE106: Why is it that modern
feminists, although preaching equality, seem to be stuck in the '60s?
To me, they seem to discriminate against women with more conservative
views.
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
C.C., 19, female, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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THE QUESTION:
A37: Why do so many young adults
become confrontational when asked to turn down extremely loud music?
I'm talking car stereos so loud you can't carry on a phone
conversation in the next building. Where do they get the idea they
have a "right" to implode my eardrums?
POSTED JAN. 13, 1999
Alma, white lesbian with sore ears <pridewks@seacove.net>, Kempner, Tx
ANSWER 1:
At 29, I just finished my
first enlistment in the military, when first enlistments typically
end at 22 or 23. Non-confrontational ones play their music loud, as
well as the confrontational ones.
I think all human beings, young and
old, to some degree, desire to be the center of attention. I think
the younger ones, and too many of the older ones, have not yet
acquired the discipline to handle the nagging fear that we might not
be the center of the universe. To take our mind off the unpleasant
sensation, we crank our music too loud, take drugs or have an illicit
affair with an intern.
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Mike <leungm@ix.netcom.com>, Minneapolis, MN
FURTHER NOTICE:
I believe the behavior you
describe is due to a failure of many parents to teach their children
proper manners and appropriate behavior. I see so many parents today
allowing their kids to run wild in restaurants, talk at full volume
in movies and act disruptive in church. Is it any surprise these
children show no consideration for the feelings of others when they
grow to their early teens and twenties? I understand that many
parents are exhausted after a hard day's work, but both of my parents
worked full time and I was taught how to behave. Come on guys, show
some backbone!
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Stacee, 30, female, Houston, TX
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THE QUESTION:
R574: When speaking with friends
about where I like to go in Atlanta, I find them asking frequently,
"But isn't that an unsafe neighborhood?" or "Oh, that's not safe at
night, is it?" They have also made comments about various
neighborhoods and places they avoid because of "crime." I know these
neighborhoods are not nearly as dangerous as my friends think. The
only thing that sets them apart from "safe" neighborhoods is that
they're predominantly black. I know that if these same neighborhoods
and places were predominantly white, my friends would think they were
fine. Why do people think like this?
POSTED JAN. 5, 1999
Wendy, 24, white, bisexual <wiebke@juno.com>, Atlanta, GA
ANSWER 1:
People assume that black
areas are bound to be bad neighborhoods due to the way they tend to
be portrayed in media coverage. The media tend to focus on many
"black" cases, and so this creates a smokescreen for us to see, and
we assume by this that all black people are bad. Although it is a
fact proven by many sociologists that white people tend to commit as
many and if not more crimes, if you have noticed (at least in
England), the cases that are shown on the news are of average crimes
commited by whites and one bad crime commited by a black person. This
all leadsus to believe blacks are worse than the rest of us.
POSTED JAN. 13, 1999
Laura S., female, 17, sociology student, Kent, UK
FURTHER NOTICE:
Prejudice, stereotyping,
media hype and hysteria.
POSTED JAN. 13, 1999
A.A.W., 42, black female <ANABWI@aol.com>, Plantation, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I can tell you from firsthand
experience that your friends are right more often than not. I have
lived all over Atlanta, including several neighborhoods that your
friends might consider "not safe." These include Midtown, Grant Park,
Cabbagetown and East Atlanta/Kirkwood. My house was broken into in
Midtown, Grant Park and Cabbagetown (three times in four months). I
have dealt with threatening encounters from strangers (mostly
homeless people) in all of these neighborhoods. My good friend was
shot (he survived) at a Christmas party in Grant Park. This was a
random act of violence the police attributed to "a gang initiation."
Intown neighborhoods are not safe, plain and simple. Crime can happen
anywhere, but there are some areas where it is more likely to occur.
Unfortunately, Intown neighborhoods tend to fit this profile.
POSTED JAN. 13, 1999
K.L., 32 <frankblack@geocities.com>, Atlanta , GA
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THE QUESTION:
D33: What is the best way to
phrase a query to find out the nature of a person's disability? I
find that since I don't believe in asking "What's wrong with...?" I
am thwarted in situations where I would normally reach out.
POSTED DEC. 28, 1998
Roberto T., 27 <bobbyboy5@aol.com>, Aurora, IL
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I am 27 and have cerebral
palsy, and have had to deal with questions regarding my disability
all my life. I know many people I come in contact with are curious. I
don't mind talking about my disability, but my level of comfort with
the topic depends on the person asking and how they pose their
questions. I do think it is rude for a stranger to ask questions. It
really is nobody's business. One time, a furniture delivery guy asked
me "What's wrong with you?" I was shocked at his nerve. If it is
someone I know or even just someone I see frequently, like in the
elevator at work, I don't mind that person saying, for example, "I
would like to know more about you and understand your disabiliy. Can
you explain what it i s and how it affects you?" It also may be
helpful to apologize for your ignorance, although I understand that
most people are not educated in terms of disabilities unless they
have a family member or someone close to them affected by one. Also,
do not make any assumptions about limitations the disabled person
might have. I am offended when someone assumes I live with my
parents, which I don't, or that I don't drive, which I do. Bottom
line - just use sensitivity without talking down to the person and
treat him or her the same way you want to be treated.
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Ginger, 27 <Ginger.Atkinson@NATIONSBANK.com>, Dallas, TX
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THE QUESTION:
A11: When I listen to the radio
these days, all I find is "oldies" stations or stations that seem to
play the same 10 new songs over and over. What are most teenagers
really listening to these days? Are they actually into '70s music? Or
what?
POSTED MAY 15, 1998
Colette, 33 <inkwolf@earthlink.net>, Seymour, WI
FURTHER NOTICE 9:
By the time someone gets to
be 16 or 17, they realize pop music stations will play the same thing
over and over again, just as a four-year-old would wear out a Disney
videotape until they can memorize the script (or in this case,
lyrics) verbatim. It is the realization that good music knows no
time, place or person that many of my generation are into the current
revival of music from the 1920s to the 1940s (such as swing, jazz and
big band), as well as "classic rock or soul" of the 1950s-1970s. It's
just good music, plain and simple. I also hold that record marketing
from major record companies during the 1980s and 1990s has become
more oriented toward producing music that looks good for MTV rather
than being quality tunes.
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Jeremy, 17, male <jeremy_craig@hotmail.com>, Macon , GA
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THE QUESTION:
RE131: I'm curious: Do Catholics
think the rash of pedophilia among priests might be related to the
celibacy that is required of them?
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Sara, female, Oakland, CA
ANSWER 1:
As a Catholic, I am ashamed
and disgusted by priests who molest children, and even moreso by
bishops and others in the Church hierarchy who hush up their crimes.
As far as I'm concerned, priests who molest children should go to
prison like any other felons, and bishops who cover up their crimes
should be imprisoned as accessories. I also believe the Church would
do well to reconsider its celibacy requirement. However, I also wish
to state that there is no connection between celibacy and pedophilia.
Every reputable criminologist will tell you that most pedophiles are
married men! Clearly, then, marriage is not a cure for pedophilia. A
man who has sexual desires for children will not lose those desires
if he marries and engages in sexual relations with an adult female.
And while celibacy is difficult, a normal heterosexual male does not
develop desires for young boys. Celibacy does not transform priests
into pedophiles. But I suspect that many men with pedophilic
tendencies may be attracted to the priesthood - a few sickos may join
the priesthood precisely because it will give them opportunities to
meet children, but many more may feel guilty about their desires, and
join a celibate order as a way of combatting those illicit
desires.
POSTED JAN. 13, 1999
Astorian, Irish Catholic male, 37 <Astorian@aol.com>, Austin, TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
I do not think there has been
a "rash" of priests who have committed pedophilic acts. If you look
at the percentages of priests who have committed such acts and
compare that with the percentages of "non-clergy" who have committed
the acts, I do not think you will find much difference. Secondly,
many of the charges of pedophilia against priests have been proven to
be untrue. Priests seem to be ideal targets for such accusations due
to the circumstances surrounding their lifestyle. People assume that
because they are called to live a celibate lifestyle that it will
dement them and make them sexual predators at some point. Therefore,
people tend to believe every accusation they hear, and for some
reason assume this is a common occurance when it is not. For the
priests who have committed such acts, I do not think you can directly
attribute this to their celibacy. It may be the factor in some cases,
but I believe anyone who is sick enough to commit such an offense was
sick before they took a vow of celibacy.
POSTED JAN. 13, 1999
D.D., Catholic male, Cincinnati, OH
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Considering the vast number
of priests, bishops, cardinals and other clergy in the Catholic
Church worldwide, I think the instances of child molestation that we
hear about would not be considered a "rash." Given the nature of the
priesthood (celibacy and devotion to Christ, among other things),
whenever a case does occur it becomes a sensational news story, and
as we all know the media just loves to cover sensational stories. In
any case, I don't think pedophilia among priests has to do with their
vows of celibacy; it has more to do with the person committing the
offense. Offenders can be from any walk of life, and child
molestation is also committed by many married and sexually active
males. Many of these cases involving such males barely warrant a
paragraph in the back pages of the newspaper, while one priest's
offense will garner prime-time television coverage. Another example
of the media influencing public perception.
POSTED JAN. 13, 1999
Stephen S., 31, Catholic/Episcopalian, San Antonio, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I believe there are some
correlations with pedophilia and celibacy. Having talked to some
priests about this subject, I was stunned to find out that some
seminaries literally brainwash potential priests. They are reminded
not to put their hands in their pockets, lest someone misconstrue
what they are doing; they are constantly reminded the only sexual
relationship they need is with God (who supposedly is a man?). So,
for years and yeass they are sexually repressed, with nowhere to
release a natural feeling. Where is the easiest place to release
these feelings? Maybe with the young and/or "weak." So, some priests
may seek out young people to "befriend." Certainly there are probably
some true pedophiles in the ranks, as there are in any group, but I
believe there is a correlation. And don't forget there are many
priests who have female friends on the side. And please don't
necessarily always connect pedophilia with homosexuality. The
Catholic Church needs to take a much-needed look at its stance on
celibacy and stop using the "ostrich" approach.
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Sheila, g/l/b/t/q youth director, 49,white, lesbian, West Palm Beach,
FL
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THE QUESTION:
R376: Why are Asian male/white
female couples much rarer than Asian female/white male couples? And
why does one hardly ever see an Asian male/black female couple?
POSTED JULY 17, 1998
Julie B., 25, white <bouzoun@mri.jhu.edu>, Baltimore, MD
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
It seems to me that the main
factor is mass media portrayals. Asian women have been portrayed for
decades as desirable, sexy and willing. Asian men have been portrayed
mainly as foreign, geeky and asexual. (It doesn't help that the last
three major American conflicts have been fought in Japan, Korea and
Vietnam.) And think about sex symbols: Any race of males has its own
sex symbols every decade or generation. However, Asian men haven't
had one since Bruce Lee, who's been dead for 25 years. I know this
might seem like I'm placing an undue emphasis on how the media
portrays us, but if you never see examples of sexy Asian men, how
would you ever become attracted to them? It isn't because we don't
exist, but in general the media (and most Americans, I think) are
more comfortable with Asian- American men as Asians and foreigners
and "the other" first, and everyday Americans with all the attendant
privileges (including being dating material) second, if they grant
them that at all.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
David, 35, Filipino-American male <HoopNation@aol.com>, San Francisco, CA
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THE QUESTION:
GE105: Why don't women have the
same sexual urges as men? What prompts my question is that you don't
ever see male prostitutes soliciting and engaging female "clients,"
but the opposite (female prostitutes soliciting male "clients") is
evident in virtually every major city in the United States.
POSTED JAN. 11, 1999
Michael M., male <mikmyfield@aol.com>, Bel Air, MD
ANSWER 1:
Sex drive varies from
individual to individual, but a major difference between men and
women is the way their brains and bodies are wired for sex. Women
have wombs. Women can get pregnant and are more protective of their
bodies because they have more at stake. Men cannot get pregant and
have little to lose in a sexual encounter. (Diseases exist, yes, but
I'm speaking in terms of biological instinct.) Biologically, men
aren't made for monogamy, and their instinct is to sustain (the
population of) mankind by reproducing. By the way, male prostitution
(while not as common) does exist - I have a male friend who used to
work for an "escort service." And women have plenty of sexual urges!
The ancient Greeks warned their men that women would drain them of
all of their sexual energy.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
S.R., white female, 20,.Austin, TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
Biology is not destiny, but
it does explain many human behaviors. Most male mammals are quite
promiscuous. They instinctively seek to impregnate as many females as
possible. Female mammals, on the other hand, have a much greater
stake in the repoductive process than males - they're the ones who
have to go through months of gestation and months or years of raising
the young. Therefore, females of most animal species are much more
selective about their sexual partners. Now, since human babies are
born helpless and take much longer to reach maturity than most other
baby animals, a human female must be especially choosy - she wants a
mate who will take care of her and her children. Nowadays, of course,
women earn their own money, and because of birth control, don't have
to be as hesistant about engaging in sex as they used to. So, in the
distant future, it's possible women will be as promiscuous as men.
But it's unlikely. Our instinctive, animal urges don't change that
quickly.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Astorian, 37, male, Austin, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
First, there are such things
as male prostitutes. Second, most women become prostitutes not to
please sexual urges of a man but due to poverty. It's either have sex
for money, or starve. On a global level, girls are often sold into
prostitution so families can offord to live. Third, women have sexual
urges just like men, yet choose to express their urges differently.
Women have to worry about pregnancy, rape or getting beaten up,
things that as males you would have no concept of because it is a
privilege you are born with and therefore always overlook. Not
exactly men's faults, but nonetheless the reality of the differences
between men and women and their sexual choices. Therefore, many women
feel safer having sex with men they know and are comfortable with.
Prostitutes, on the other hand, have probably been so degraded,
either by sexual or other forms of physical abuse at a young age,
that they don't care about themselves enough to get out of the
business, nor can they envision a bright, prosperous future for them
or their children.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Sarah, 28, female
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I'd wager that most female
prostitutes aren't in their profession because of their "sexual
urges," but because it's the only way they know to make money fast
without starting at the bottom, going to school, etc. If there
weren't so many poor women with no other options, there wouldn't be
so many prostitutes.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Wendy, 24, female, Atlanta, GA
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I don't believe women in
general have a lower sexual desire than men. (Of course there are
exceptions on both sides.) The difference is, I think, one of
conditions necessary for sexual desire to arise. Most women don't
"turn on/turn off" like a light-switch, the way many men seem to.
Most women need emotional intimacy before sexual intimacy. Love,
trust, commitment - all these things are often prerequisites for
having sex, because for most women sex and love are not easily
dissociable. I don't think very many women see the attraction in
paying a stranger to have sex.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
C.P., female, 21, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
The classic answer is that
women view sex in the context of long-term relationships (securing a
father/husband to raise a child). The extent to which this reaction
is biological or societal has been debated by scholars for several
decades. Women have been socialized to view sex as more dangerous for
women than men (think rape or unwanted pregnancy). Also, young girls
are taught to suppress the recognition and acknowlegement of sexual
urges. Boys are taught that this is a normal part of growing up. Look
at how many coming-of-age movies about boys center on the loss of
virginity as a positive experience. How many movies about girls show
the loss of virginity without a self-destructive end or social
stigmatization?
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Stacee, 30, female, Houston, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
I'm paraphrasing Dr. Ruth
here (from Sex for
Dummies): Men and women
generally (this is a broad generalization) have different feelings
toward sex. Men have an easier time separating love/romance from sex.
That is why it is easier for men to have a "quickie" with a
prostitute. There are gigilos out there, but they usually have
long-running relationships with their clients that involve more than
sex. The service-providers are just catering to their clients like
any other business. Gigilos most likely don't have to solicit their
services in the same way. Again, this is a generalization. There are
plenty of exceptions.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
White, 25, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
For a species to survive, you
need a lot of creatures to reach the age of being able to reproduce.
While both genders of our species clearly have a sex drive, men are
more instinctually driven to "spread seed" to create infants, and
women are more instinctively driven to nurture infants through to an
age where they are self-sufficient, and as a corollary to find a mate
who can be a provider for children. These instinctive roles obviously
can fly in the face of modern concepts of morality and gender
equity.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
B. Hale, monogamous <halehart@aol.com>, Hartford, CT
FURTHER NOTICE 8:
I do not know one way or the
other whether women have less sexual desires than men. I do, however,
believe the reasons behind your observations lie not in the disparity
of sexual drives but the "morality" differences imposed in our
society.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Michael, 28, white male <Mjick@aol.com>, Southfield , MI
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THE QUESTION:
R578: Is it true that black
families are not allowed to adopt other ethnic groups (i.e.
Caucasian, Japanese, etc.), but Caucasians are allowed to adopt any
race regardless?
POSTED JAN. 11, 1999
Shalonda L., female <adnolahs@umh.hfs>, Westland MI
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THE QUESTION:
SO63: I have heard that the size
of certain structures in the brain and inner ear is linked to sexual
orientation. Is this true?
POSTED JULY 26, 1998
Dave A., Camden, NJ
ANSWER 1:
There are anecdotal reports
of anatomical differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals,
though to my knowledge no major study has been done. The inner ear
findings you mention refer to a report that lesbians are more likely
to have a hearing sensitivity similar to that of heterosexual males,
rather than heterosexual females (there are some well-known hearing
differences between straight men and women). There have also been
reports that lesbian fingerprints often follow trends associated with
males. These findings suggest that some lesbians may have been
exposed to a masculinizing influence in utero, though no one knows
what this might be. However, these differences were not found in all
lesbians - only in a disproportionate number of them.
POSTED JAN. 12,1999
Tim, male, gay, 32, mailto:tcran@hotmail.com, NY, NY
FURTHER NOTICE:
Researchers were examining
possible differences between lesbians and heterosexual women. When
they studied the inner ear structure in women who had died, they
discovered a statistically significant difference between the inner
ears of lesbians and those of heterosexual women. The significance of
this was that, up to that point, no physical differences had been
found between heterosexual and homosexual women, and there had been
speculation that, while gay men may have been "born that way,"
lesbians were perhaps "choosing" their sexual orientation. Gay men,
by the way, have been found to have different hypothalmus glands than
straight men, and research is still looking for other physical
differences.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Larry M,, male, Westmoreland , NH
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THE QUESTION:
A36: Why do so many senior
citizens buy such large automobiles? With having a reduced family
size, wouldn't it make more sense for them to drive smaller, more
economical cars? I've also observed many an older adult struggling to
maneuver these large cars. Are senior citizens just showing off their
disposable income? It seems to me that on many levels, smaller cars
would make more sense for their driving needs.
POSTED JAN. 8, 1999
R.J., 36, male <rjorgensen@umr.com>, Cincinnati, OH
ANSWER 1:
As a member of a senior
family that has just purchased a minivan, I can tell you our reasons
for wanting a larger vehicle: We upgraded from an Acura Integra, a
small, three-door auto. Space-space-space, and comfort. If you have spent three or four days in
an automobile traveling, you would understand the need for a
comfortable ride and the necessary storage for clothing and other
necessary items. In addition, most small cars are very low to the
ground and do not afford much in the way of being able to see the
surroundings and other traffic. When you are traveling on the
Interstates at 60-70 mph, you have a lot more confidence in a larger
vehicle.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
White senior citizen <JPHILJONES@AOL.COM>, Port St Joe, FL
FURTHER NOTICE:
I think many senior citizens
know that their reflexes are slower than they once were, and drive
larger cars because they provide more protection in case of an
accident. One other explanation is one of traditionalism. Since most
of the older cars were large, lots of today's elderly drivers like to
display the fact that they are "From The Old School" by driving big
automobiles.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Dan B., male, 26 <MookieB21@aol.com>, Tucson, AZ
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I think it is because most
senior citizens grew up and matured during the time when very large
cars were the norm, prior to the gasoline crisis of the1970s and when
large families were common. It simply is what they are accustomed to
having. Also, they may feel that a large car is a safer vehicle for
them. And yes, maybe they are showing off their income, but probably
more likely feel like they have earned the right to purchase whatever
car they wish. Unless they are asking for someone else to pay for it,
I say more power to them!
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Kathy, white, 46, Springfield , IL
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
As people age, the body takes
longer to repair itself. With that in mind, I think senior citizens
choose larger cars because they provide a higher degree of safety
than smaller ones. Additionally, larger cars usually yield more
comfort and are roomier, features I believe mature folks value above
economy.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Alonzo C., male, African American, Jacksonville, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
They are showing off
disposable income and/or wealth. Fifty years ago, prestige was
driving a big car.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
B. Hale, 43 <halehart@aol.com>, Hartford, CT
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
Many older people prefer
larger motor vehicles because, in the event of a collision, they are
safer for them than smaller ones.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Michael, 34, male, Syracuse, NY
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
It would make more economic
and environmental sense, but many older people feel safer in a large
car. Statistically, they are - bigger cars tend to protect passengers
better in a crash. I think that's part of why you see many younger
people in oversized Sport Utility Vehicles, too.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Gene, 32, male <geneand@ix.netcom.com>, Oakland , CA
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
Also, as you get older, you
lose your flexibility. It really is difficult for older folks to get
in and out of the smaller cars.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Carlos C., male <cjcaro@msn.com>, Colorado Springs, CO
FURTHER NOTICE 8:
I believe the reason is
twofold: 1)When those who are now senior citizens bought their first
cars in the 1930s - 1950s, every car coming off the assembly line was
approximately the size of a small aircraft carrier. All kidding
aside, these cars were built to last, explaining why you still see
them on the road today. Bigger was better back then, and the
prevailing attitude was that no one built them bigger or better than
the good old USA. Many seniors may still feel that way today and
express that with their car purchases. 2) Seniors I know who buy
large cars have indicated they are doing so for improved safety.
Let's face it, with the explosion in Sport Utility Vehicle sales,
they may be onto something! And besides, if they can afford a big
road boat and it makes them happy to drive one, so what? I've never
seen it as flaunting wealth, exactly for the reasons I've given. If
anything, Boomers are the worst offenders of conspicuous consumption
from what I've observed, not seniors.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
E.J., 39 <bugz2@ix.netcom.com>, Nashua, NH
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THE QUESTION:
GE41: Why do women spend so much
time, energy and money on their appearances, but then become upset
when a man stares at them? And do women really become upset at this,
or are they just pretending?
POSTED JUNE 15, 1998
John, 27, Riverside, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I spend time and money on my
appearance because it is impossible in this culture for a woman not
to do so without risking disapproval from friends, lovers and random
strangers. I also do so because it makes me feel more confident, and
that makes me feel more attractive. These two things go together:
Women really do mind the attentions of strangers when they are
unsought. Women are attempting to attract specific individuals - i.e.
when I wear a short skirt to go on a date with my boyfriend, I am
hoping he will approve, find me attractive, whatever. But I do not
want to a be accosted, grabbed or stared at by others. That's called
harassment.
POSTED JAN. 12, 1999
Lisa, white female, 26, Boston, MA
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