Why can't women read maps?

Question

I know that's a stereotype but I sure can't navigate when we're in the car! Is there a scientific explanation? Serious answers only please?

Answer 1

Sorry, but this is one of the most ridiculous questions I've read today.

I learned geography and orienteering at school, so I know how to read a map. It's actually very easy.

Anyone who says they "can't" read a map is either not trying or hasn't been taught properly.

All I can think of as a difference between the sexes is that women seem more prone to set themselves mental blocks and say they "can't" do something. Whether it's a laziness or lack of confidence or poor training I don't know.

Answer 2

First Stereotypes - I believe they do not define any one person but usually have truth behind them.

As for the maps and navigating in general - I think natural selection in many primitive cultures gave men a better ability at this. They hunted, at times far from their camps and had to navigate their way. Asking directions could get them killed!

Women stayed closer to camp so did not require this skill. They were among friends and could ask for directions.

I do not know why these primitive instincts survive today but they do seem to.

Having said this, I will say my youngest daughter seems to have better navigating skills than most people in our family and better than many boys!

ADDED
Some have said they cannot understand how people cannot read a map. There are lots of people (men and women) whom I have dealt with that cannot read maps or drawings. They do not seem to have the in built ability to do this despite any instruction I have given them!

And my anecdotal evidence shows that its more women than men that struggle with this.

Answer 3

I can read a map better than most people i know (men and women). Some people can and some people can't. It's a stereotype: it's a saying that has no proof behind, like u can't teach an old dog new tricks. Or that men are smarter than women. Where's the proof?

Answer 4

I have a theory on this:
Stereotypes exist because there is enough anecdotal evidence to support them. Compound that with an existing stereotype influencing a young girl as she is introduced to the subject-- she believes the stereotype to be true and therefore expects to have a difficult time learning the subject. She may even choose not to put forth the effort to learn at all, since it is expected that she will have great difficulty understanding.
It becomes a vicious cycle of underachievement based on a false premise.

Agree/disagree?

BTW, I can read a map quite well, but my daughter is having a tough time learning it. Nature/nurture?

Answer 5

Oh don't you hate "generalization?"

LOL. I mean the word. I hate the word "generalization." Haha! I think it's okay to generalize, as long as you own up to it, which you have done.

As to the question, men (in general) think more spacially than women do. Women think more relationally. The theory harkens back to caveman days when men would go out hunting and they used the stars for navigation and would draw maps in the ground. Women stayed in the caves/huts and didn't really need to travel far. Men needed to speak with pictures because they were hunting and animals could hear them. Women could speak with words so they became far more social. Men developed an internal compass. Women developed more social skills.

I do have to say that as a man, I find a woman who knows what I'm talking about when I say "the north side of the street" to be EXTREMELY SEXY!

So ladies that can read a map, LOOK OUT! I'm hunting for you!


EDIT: It's funny. The same women who are saying you shouldn't generalize are saying "It's unfortunate but I can read a map better than my husband." HAhahaah! What? Men aren't any better at reading a map, but your husband is less of a man because he can't read a map? ROTFL Make up your minds! Don't stereotype your husband!

Answer 6

Nobody took the time to teach you.Women are told they are lousy drivers, can't read maps and all kinds of nonsense to keep them out of the leadership roles. To a certain extent they internalize these beliefs. My father was a pilot and believed everyone had the right to learn what they wanted. We had no double standards in my home. My dad taught me to fly, to read maps, to create maps, to live in the wilderness if it was necessary, to climb mountains and to embrace life.
Whenever we go somewhere my husband always claims that you don't get a better navigator then me.

Answer 7

Maybe the proper question is "why are you not very bright?" Perhaps you didn't pay attention in geography class. Perhaps you believed it when your parents told you that girls should only know how to do their nails and play with dolls. I don't know why YOU can't read a map, but you certainly are not all women. I can read a map. I can read 3 maps. Sorry none of us are rubber stamping your generalization, but maybe if you pick another one..like "why can't women pee standing up without wetting their legs?"

Answer 8

I have no problems with maps. People try to give me directions and I simply tell them to give me the address so I can look it up myself. Directions can be vague or mistaken. Maps are perfectly clear. I've never understood why anyone would have any difficulty with a map regardless of gender.

Answer 9

Only David told the truth and the reason why. When are you people going to learn the difference between individual data points ( self reports, here ) and a statistical analysis. I do not care if every women on YA women's studies section can read a map better that an Airborne Ranger! It has been shown time and time again, that ON AVERAGE, men rotate objects in space better than women ( connects to map reading ), while women are far more detail oriented ( connects to landmark recognition ). When will you learn, that different does not mean less!!!! Such relativism could destroy all credibility that any women's movement has.

Answer 10

When you are trying to read the map are you dealing with children in the car or with other people talking to you? Maybe you could try reading the map before you go somewhere just to plan it out first and then see how you do.

I hate to say it, but I can actually read a map far better than my husband can! I think it just depends on each individual. I love navigating so maps are easy for me! You're probably better at other things, but don't give up...keep trying! :)