MAIL Box Professor responds to boy bashing celumn Dear Editor: In your Nov. 19 issue, ana Mercer por- trayed me as a “boy basher” and “radical femi- nist” suffering from “pathological hostility to males,” after misrepresenting my statements on behalf of a humane treatment for boys. L was misquoted as saying that “the reason boys were falling behind girls in the school sys- tem was that boys were lazy,” and my numer- ous comments in favour of boys were omitied. This article prompted a letter to the editor in which Iam implied to be a “feminist fanat- ic.” May I comment? I said nothing of the sort. I had been asked to respond to Prof. Crawford Quillian's con- rention (not mine) that buys were “majoring in hackey sack” rather than applying, themselves to studying, and that they should be trained in” U.S. army styles of boys-only schools where they would be shouted at and told to shut up. Prof. Quiliian also observed that Asian stu- dents tend to work harder because they are under pressure from their culture to place high value on education and get good grades. What I did say was that girls tend to work harder also as a result of cultural expectation, and that because most of the influential posi- tions in society are occupied by men, boys may conclude that working hi h arder at school is not Necessarily the way to success in life. J added the following thoughts as well: we would be doing 4 disservice to the boys if we tried to shape them along the values of U.S. army styles of schools on the doubtful premise that this would make them study more. . We should not rob the boys from sponta- feous qualities such as sensitivity and humani- ty. We should get away from gender-based prejudices and encourage each child along the lines of his/her ability, regardless of whether it fits in with traditional stereotype or not. 1 guoted Simone de Beauvoir: where one sex suffers. the other does too, Because both sexes are interrelated, we have to find ways of accommodating different learning styles, yes, but not try to accommodate values that are unconducive to social development. If boys are more sensitive than girls to the the lure of money, power, and glamorous spurts achievements above thase of knowledge and academic achievement, it is because soci- ety, not schools, puts then first, and pressures males in particular to adopt them. { have two children, a boy and a girl, whose academic endeavours { support with equal devotion, and beloved friends of both yenders. My “pathological hostility to mates” seems at odds with my having enjoyed working for decades in an almost all-male environment. [ can even take inspiration from Rudyard Kipling's eternal, strength-giving lines, even if he mitid mean them (which perhaps he did not) to exclude females: *... If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools ... you'll be a Man, my son!” I simply read “You'll be a Human” instead —a metaphorically valid inference — and carry on with my life, hoping that antagonisms between the genders can continue to decrease, for mutual benefit. In short: if a “radical feminist” is a person who is passionately committed to the well- being of both men and women, then { proud- ly plead guilty to Ilana Mercer's such charge, and offer all the above as proof. Veronica Dahl Professor Simon Fraser University internet crime growing threat ’ Froin page T start for another vear, it seems we are witnessing the © dawn ofa whole new world. The Internet has, in its short time of existence, become poised to rival the signifi- “cance in history of the indus- trial revolution. But with that promise also comes the inher- ent risks. ” Organized crime has already permeated the * Internet and new and novel scams are surfacing every day. The chances of being e- mugged are greater than a strect rugging. This too is the promise o the new age. AS a society, we need to .. ‘capitalize on thé good things © - technology brings and be "very vigilant on the bad. We need to understand the threat of organized crime and its poised. AUTHORIZED ability to use that technology for their nefarious purposes. And, we need to ensure our political leaders don’t remain complacent to the dangers FAST PERSONALIZED SERVICE BC LASER So much for my post-Y2K thoughts. At least Pil get to party next year, at the real dawn of the new millennium. ~~ lknight@direct.ca Laser & Ink Jet | Save money on Toner _ Cartridge Remanufacturing We Refill Ink Jet Cartridges Rentals from $100 per month “n: 984-7661 204 Donaghy Ave., North Van HeLeTT RESELLER & OKIDATA iit VIGOR-FORCE ‘Canada’s Answer to Viagra Sponsored by ¢ The Price is so low, we even sold Some to the owner!) 1139 Lonsdale Avenue We're inviting everyone on the North SI p 0 first night on the North Shore and win arelaxing weekend break at fabulous Clam Bay Farm for your family, And have your photographs included in our pictorial Photo Finish which runs January 16. ALL YOU HAVE To De: 1) Buy film with the coupons below 2) Have a great party 3) Take a fabulous photograph 4) Drep it off at the North Shore News by January 9 5) Complete a details sheet at the office. 6) Leak out for the pictorial on January 16 to see if you won the break at Clam Bay, Pender Island = i REC of purchase with your film on any Scone-Day service, 3Seum i tolonr print fi, CD, 416 prints, Taxes where applicable. a_ Second Set of Prints PLUI70632 feapen vaid in Pemberton Plaza and 9 Pask & Tilford locatiens only from BB A Dercsber 12th to january 31, itd a SR aE LR OT ‘SAVE-ON- [eee ses i $8. os 2+1 Pack © 200 ISO © 24 Exposure feupea valid ig Pemberton Plaza and Park & Tilford locations only from gy December !2th to january 31, in Och Se SIN ON SE J 5) pases anh 24 Exposure 24 Exposure 24 Exposure $3.88 Fous-day processing ee Coupon valid is Pemberton Plara and — & Titlord tecations only fram Mm December 12th 0 January 31, 2000 $9.8 53 39-minute to processing and receive 480 S.0.M. Points $5.78 Same-day processing and reccive 240 S.0.M. Points