Please read what happened to me. Does this show that political correctness is completely out of control?

Question

I am a teacher in an English secondary school.

Last month in the teacher's staff room I stated my opinion that women are, on average, of lower intelligence than men.

I have now been suspended, pending further investigation.

I've never had any complaints about my teaching and have never been accused of treating male and female students differently.

Can you now not saying anything, or be honest about your opinions, in case you offend someone?

Eriverpipe, "Can you now..." is grammatically correct although slightly inelegant.
'Teacher's staff room' is, of course, a typo.

Oh, I see it now - another typo (of course).

Perhaps I should point out your misspelling of calculate (don't edit)

Answer 1

Only an idiot would say something like that. What did you think would happen?

Answer 2

Well, that was rude. I think you got suspended because that would offend women everywhere.

But it is also true that if you state your honest opinion today, you will get slammed and condemned as unfair, politically incorrect, etc.

I recently stated my opinion about gays. It was not favorable, and I got some hate mail from another Yahoo user who called me, among other things, a bi***.

I think that you should refrain from saying comments about women like that in the future, and keep it in your own head, because that comment is not true, really. I mean, look at Marie Curie and Maria Meyer! Women are just as intelligent as men.

And yes, political "correctness" has been blown way out of proportion. People take offense at the smallest things and use it to get attention. I just say what I believe, (above comment about gays) and live with it. Too bad to all you politically correct people; I don't give a damn about what you think, because I know what is right and what is wrong.

Answer 3

I disagree with your opinion about women on average being of a lower intelligence than men.
But your statement does not offend me, because I am confident in myself, about my opinons.
I do not accept the standards for measuring intelligence, but that is another matter.

There are only a few opinions anyone can have regarding the intelligence of the genders.
a, That men on average are more intelligent than women.
b, That women on average are more intelligent than men.
c, That neither women or men are on average more intelligent than the other.
d, There is no reliable evidence to support, any of the above theories.

I see no reason why a debate about the intelligence of the genders couldn't be put in the classroom for the students to debate.

In the staff room I would expect you to be able to state your true opinions, provided these opinions do not mar your ability to carry out your work. I can understand how the belief that males are more intelligent than females could result in unfair treatment of the students, but providing they can find no evidence of that, I would expect their further enquiries to find no evidence of poor practise, and you will be welcomed back after the investigation.

Answer 4

I don't know the other facts around what may have happened obviously, but from what you have said in your description then yes that is another example of political correctness gone mad!!!! If you cannot speak without fear of people choosing to be offended, and they ARE choosing to be, then were going to be living in a silent world in a minute, apart from the sounds of guns and explosions caused by the skum who are above the law.

Irrespective of their sex, colour, religion etc. those people who have chosen to be offended by your comment have demonstrated they are of lower intelligence, as they clearly have not grown up enough to look beyond it.

Answer 5

well i wouldn't say women were of a lower intelligence we just have a different sort of intelligence. men may get better exam grades but they just lack common sense and cannot multitask.

being suspended seems a bit harsh, there surely must be some other reason for the suspension, if we all got suspended for a point of view, no-one would be in a job.

Answer 6

If you really do believe that "women are, on average, of lower intelligence than men", one has to ask 1) what did your presumably equally well-educated and qualified female colleagues think of your 'opinion', and 2) how do you expect the parents of girls in your charge to react when you have such an obvious disregard for the abilities and potential of their daughters?

I really don't know why you're surprised at your present predicament. Why is it, when any dumb **** spouts an unfounded, idiotic and bigoted 'opinion' and gets a bad reaction, they whinge and whine about so-called 'political correctness', when they've merely been exposed as an ignorant tosser, pure and simple? God only knows what you might think of the capabilities of your black colleagues and students!!!

(Bernard Manning is quite dead, you know...)

Answer 7

Yes, political correctness has driven everyone completely mad. It's absolutely crazy that people are not allowed to state an opinion or say what they believe in. We're all walking on eggshells.

Having said that, I'll state my opinion that you are an idiot if you really think men are more intelligent than women!

Answer 8

I don't think you should have been suspended for a single comment, but I'd like to know exactly what you hoped to achieve by making it.
Did you really think people wouldn't be insulted?
You may be a perfectly nice bloke for all I know, but the fact that you thought it necessary to say something like this has to make me wonder if you're as arrogant and supercilious as it makes you sound. Sorry if that offends you.

Answer 9

You said the wrong thing in the wrong place. It must have offended a female teacher and she reported you. You are allowed to say what you think but you also have to consider where you are and how you say it. Just as it is the right of the person who is offended to report it.

Answer 10

I think in the work environment people really have to take care to be considerate of others. I'm all for speaking your mind when you're out of the office but I know that as soon as I get in at 9am I have to change myself a little.

It's not just opinions but the way someone dresses, speaks, etc (like I can't wear jeans or swear when I want to.)

I think it's a fair trade off. I like what I do and I'm willing to fit in with the "norm" to keep my job.

Answer 11

Well i think that you are entitled to your own opinion.. (not saying i agree with you!!) but if you had made that comment within earshot of me, i would of debated (and had a laugh!!) with you.. some people are WAY to sensitive.. and no i do not think you should of been suspended on the strength of one dumb comment.. i for one think you are right.. worlds gone mad.... If a woman had made the exact same comment.. would any of the men reported her?? ...I maybe lucky where ever i have worked we can all share a joke and a healthy debate...!! good luck x