Natural History museum branded sexist.

Hmmm. I see their point but The Daily Mail doesn't do itself any service by adopting such a sensational tone. This isn't sexism.

If anything it is poor curatorship. If museums only showed male kangaroos that would be a problem for science. Exhibits of spider species without specimens of the females would also be very incomplete since for most species the females are not only bigger, they are also the most venomous.

However, when it comes to larger animals - imagine finding space for one blue whale, let alone a mating pair. Decisions about collections do need to be made with regard to practicalities.
 
Science studies often exhibit bias but a bias does not necessarily equate to sexism.

Medical and drug trials sometimes use only male volunteers because the female menstrual cycle can complicate the trial by adding additional variables. This is a problem when it comes to later prescribing for female patients. However, it is not what I would call sexism. I would call it male lack of attention to half the population by the other half but it is not intentional or malignant.

Today this problem is recognised and there is greater awareness in the scientific community. More female scientists probably has a lot to do with this improvement.
 
Warrigal said:
Hmmm. I see their point but The Daily Mail doesn't do itself any service by adopting such a sensational tone. This isn't sexism.

If anything it is poor curatorship. If museums only showed male kangaroos that would be a problem for science. Exhibits of spider species without specimens of the females would also be very incomplete since for most species the females are not only bigger, they are also the most venomous.

However, when is comes to larger animals - imagine finding space for one blue whale, let alone a mating pair. Decisions about collections do need to be made with regard to practicalities.
Click to expand...


"they are also the most venomous. "

Kinda like humans....... ;)
 
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