how mathematics is maligned?

Answer 1

Maths is often portrayed as a demon whose sole purpose is to torment the existence of students. It is also portrayed as too abstract with no relation at all to the world around us. These myths are propagated by people who had a bad time at maths and either don't understand the subject or hate it altogether.

Answer 2

Actually, I think the basis for math's reputation in the U.S. is caused now by the unrealistic expection that all people can do algebra well enough to pass an entire class in level one and level two algebra. I am a math tutor, and have worked for 6 years with high school and community college students. Most of my students are struggling to complete beginning and/or intermediate algebra required to get a regular high school diploma, or an associates degree in jobs like phlebotomist, child care, fire science, medical assisting. Many people just do not have what it takes to complete algebra classes. Is it really necessary to know how to factor trinomials to do these jobs? Do you have to know algebra to do most jobs in the world, even the good ones? No! Algebra is being used as an IQ test to sort people. Of course people hate math.

Answer 3

The people who don't understand math, fear it and malign it.

These are usually the same people who can afford to leave their ATM receipts at the ATM, because they only have $17.44 in their checking account.

In general, most people see "mathy" types as elitist and snobbish, but it's actually a reverse snobbery, i.e., the "out's" snub and sneer at the "in's"

It's a cultural trait in the US to tout "Yankee ingenuity," which is a way of saying that you don't need education to succeed. That might be true of carpenters. But doctors, engineers, scientists can rarely succeed without a formal eduation and without some amount of math skills.