Did people once believe being smart creative talented or education woman caused sterility?

Answer 1

Yes, they did. Infertility and endometriosis were considered problems exclusive to educated and working women when, in reality, the rates were the same for them and housewives. I'm convinced it was all part of a Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy to keep women at home.

However, since I don't want children, I would gladly welcome some endometriosis.

EDIT TO IDNLS: I was being sarcastic there. What I meant was, if I was biologically unable to get pregnant, I would not be displeased. I'm getting a tubal ligation as soon as I can.

Answer 2

I don't believe that is the case, but there are a lot of people (men) who believed that if a woman was smart, creative, talented and educated the she posed a threat to them. The woman was viewed as "trying to wear the pants", and this made some men feel like less than a man. That was a long time ago, though some still hold that a man is the bread winner and a woman's place was at home. That was of course before we had huge mortgages and car notes to pay. Some men are appreciative of a hard working woman who will help share the load of the family obligations, while others believe a woman with the above listed qualities looks down on them or makes them feel like less of a man. Many woman in powerful positions today, sometimes find themselves alone and unable to find a suitable mate because the men are insecure with her position and the amuont of $$ she makes. So I don't think people believed it caused sterility, but it makes a woman less approachable because a man feels he has to measure up to her standards or be rejected. And since many of us don't take rejection to well, they would rather not even bother to try. So those women are often overlooked. All the best.

Answer 3

yes they actually did, i did a paper about it the other day. Cant remember all the details though. The thought that educating a women would lead to competition of blood between the brain and the uterus. when educating a women, the bloodflow would go to the brain rather than uterus. if i can recall correctly it was just after the world war, when women were occupying the mens jobs, and when the men returned, they needed an excuse to get women back in the private domain

Answer 4

If i can remember correctly the medical professionals taught that if women used thier brains in intellectual pursuits that thier ovaries would shrivel up and be useless. This was not taught in a figurative sense but was stated as factual in the workings of womens biological nature. For men this killed two birds with one stone. It was used as justification to exclude women from any sort of higher learning. Because we have all heard time and time again that "Knowledge is Power". Men have as a general rule tried to keep women from knowing; about themselves, the world they live in, and esp. the freedom that they (men) enjoy. Society and the church has tried to put women, who are free spirits, who have a free-will and conscience into a small box, and then are told to be happy in thier confinement. And lets face it, most often this confinement produced quite a brood of children. All human beings feel the need to be productive(not reproductive persay) and to feel as though thier life was meaningful and had value. We have told women this is where your worth lies, be happy. We must always remember women are human beings first, women second, and wives and mothers third. The totality of a womans being cannot be bound up in motherhood, if it is we distort womens individuality and discount all other gifts and contributions that she can give.

Answer 5

TRUTH HURTS did a great job of answering the question. Rio- this has nothing to do with feminism or with the question, but I just wanted to let you know that endometriosis hurts like hell. My cousin has it- her condition is under control, but the medications used to alleviate the condition have terrible side effects. Anybody with the condition would tell you that. An IUD is much less painful way of preventing pregnancy.

Answer 6

I wouldn't be surprised there were many strange superstitions and false medical claims passed down in many cultures. Menstruating women could not collect or prepare food, they were often kept from religious services, etc