I gave all my classes this riddle this week - 3 kids got the answer.

I didn’t get it straight away but only because i
I then read the answer so I didn’t give myself time to think it through. I think leaving out the bit where the father is unconscious leads people to think he is the one who is the doctor. My partner got it straight away but he then said he’s heard it before and it’s qhite an old one lol

I think Lass mean that feminists were assuming sexism rather than linguistic leading.

That's why I'd really like to hear what happens if someone frames it with a woman and her daughter, on subjects who are not already thinking about this. Lass and another poster say they think woman doctor ... but I'm very aware that if you'd asked me I'd never have thought I'd have committed the chemistry teacher gaffe.

I think it's quite significant that alternative answers involved same sex parents.
That also shows something about how mentalities have evolved beyond the only possibility an heterosexual couple.

I'd love to know how a feminist mentality is supposed to blinker women to the possibility that the doctor could be a woman.

The problem with the riddle is that it's not sexists who don't get it, it's people who don't think and aren't good at riddles, tell the same riddle the other way with a mum and son instead and I guarantee the results will be the same, don't do an experiment on children then proclaim the obvious result as a point proven by feminism when you haven't done the other half of the experiment.

I think there are occasions where being a feminist leads to blinkered thinking where everything is seen through a feminist prism, whether it is relevant or not.

Lass is deeply proud of not being a feminist, it's kind of her "thing" on these boards. Don't take it personally!

why are you so keen to point out you aren't a feminist? do you not think women should have equal opportunities, the chance to be educated and autonomy over their bodies?
I'm sure there is many, many things that would be obvious to me and not you. the difference is I wouldn't revel in them or Lord them over you because I don't get off on stuff like that. I'm a kind person and I don't need to put to others down to feel good about myself.
I actually pity that you need these "wins" to feel good about yourself. but by all means you carry on. I'm off to bed now as I have a full day of lectures tomorrow. goodnight and sweet dreams.

I was amused that I got the correct answer to a riddle which a feminist fell hook, line and sinker for the wrong answer.

grow up lass, you sound like a snidey schoolgirl. it's pathetic and not a good look on a presumably middle aged woman.

Unlike you I'm not a feminist but it is obvious what the answer is - so obvious that the "wrong" answer had to be explained.

sorry I forgot to check back on this post. yes hope has it and obviously it was more drawn out in the way it was told but I was typing in a hurry so condensed it a lot for speed.
thanks for calling me thick lass, aren't you a peach 🙄

I just asked my 7 year old, she first said dad because she didn't understand the question properly then she said the mother. Then I explained that lots of people won't think of the mother being an option because they don't think of doctors being women and she said she thinks the other way round, that doctor is a job more for women than men. I think most doctors she's encountered have been women so I guess that makes sense.

Lass; I know that's the supposed bias. But I don't think it works as the solution is so obvious that there must be only one man

The solution is glaringly obvious. So obvious I couldn't see what the problem was supposed to be. But apparently the unconcious bias is supposed to be the assumption there are 3 men in the room so the detective doesn't know which one is Bob. There is an explanation somewhere on the thread confirming this.

My mum asked me this when I was a teenager and I’m ashamed to say I got it wrong. I was so shocked at myself! The language may well influence you to try and think of a male relative, but surely that’s a mirror to society where all animals are automatically “he” etc.

Also I think if you gave the exact same riddle but instead of surgeon, said nurse, a lot more people would get it straight away.

The detective rushes in and immediately arrests Bob. How did he know which one was Bob?
Just asked my DD this and, looking at me like I am an idiot, she replied
‘Because he’s got a gun in his hand’
She’ll go far that girl.

Lass; I know that's the supposed bias. But I don't think it works as the solution is so obvious that there must be only one man.

Ds6 and dd11 both got it straight away and looked at me like I’m stupid!

My dp got it, second guess though, but he got it! I will hang my head in shame for the rest of the day.

My 6 yr old dd just said "well obviously that man is the woman's husband". 😀

Well tried it on the ds's this morning the 4 year old guessed 2 dad's and the 10 year old was completely stumped! I've failed miserably. Not yo send to do and the work men and see what they come up with.

My nearly 7yo DS got this right when I asked him today. Think he was a little surprised at how pleased I was!

Horrid Henry as female role models? hmm, not sure that I would agree with that considering that the 2 central characters are boys who hate girls and are, you know, horrible!

My 16 year old DS said "stepdad?!" He reckons it's because he personally, is closer to his stepdad than his real dad but I'm not buying that one...

Will ask primary aged DD and DS when they wake up tomorrow...🤞🏻

I didn’t get it when I first heard it AND it was in an unconscious bias teaching session, so my first guess was that it was a gay couple and my second guess was a birth father and an adoptive father - I was being v open minded to all options, showing how I didn’t have unconscious bias - and I just forgot about, y’know, women

I didn't get it, I am utterly ashamed of myself! ☹ I'll try it on my 2 boys and dp tomorrow.