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Original poster

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

213 replies

IHeartKingThistle · 29/09/2018 18:07

I teach secondary English. Last week as a starter I gave all my classes (Yr 7s, 8s and 9s) some riddles to solve and this was one of them:

A man and his son are in a car accident and are rushed to hospital. When they arrive the doctor looks at the boy and exclaims 'I can't operate on him, he's my son!' How can this be?

Some kids guessed that the boy had 2 dads in a gay relationship, which could technically be correct of course. But it only occurred to 3 kids out of nearly 100 that the doctor could be a woman. Not one of the Year 7s thought of it.

In this day and age? I couldn't believe it!

They got a nice little lecture on feminism as a bonus that lesson Grin

OP posts:
LassWiADelicateAir · 29/09/2018 20:19

I actually think that the way it’s written is designed to trip you up. It’s man, boy, doctor. I think if you said a Dad and his daughter etc you’d get many more people saying ‘It’s her MUM’ it’s leading you to think Male

There is an element of that. In reality there can't be anyone who hasn't come across a female doctor.

It's a bit like the "how do you stop a 3 legged table wobbling"? question. The correct answer is, it wouldn't wobble but the question is pushing the listener to look for a solution

BirdieInTheHand · 29/09/2018 20:13

I asked my DC and they all looked at me as if I was mad and said the surgeon was as the boys Mum.

My DH hmm'd and ahhh'd for a while which was interesting as I'm the professional sole breadwinner in our house.

hackmum · 29/09/2018 20:10

DadDadDad - great clip, and lovely to see the fab Lucy Masoud in there.

Booksandpens · 29/09/2018 20:08

DH said "must be his dad"
DD1 got it after I explained that it was the Dad in the car accident...
I have to admit I didn't figure out the answer until I read it Blush so obviously we all need to learn something in this household! Especially as we have 2 DDs!

StealthPolarBear · 29/09/2018 20:05

Dh got that when I asked him it 20 years ago. I was very pleased :)

0hCrepe · 29/09/2018 20:04

I’m one of those irritating mums who loudly changes he/his to she/her in nursery rhymes. Especially miss polly had a dolly and all the animals that tend to be male.

Opheliah · 29/09/2018 20:03

I think OP missed that bit out!

Katz · 29/09/2018 20:02

My daughter who wants to be a doctor said he has two dads?

Opheliah · 29/09/2018 20:02

Car accident.
Father died.
Boy rushed to hospital.
Surgeon can't operate on own child.

Who is the surgeon?

Martydog · 29/09/2018 20:02

My 11 year old got it

Opheliah · 29/09/2018 20:01

BartholinsSister the dad died in the scenario.

Opheliah · 29/09/2018 19:59

I tried this on DP a year ago, I'm still annoyed because he's a right smart arse but imo needs some educating on feminist issues.
Unfortunately we had just ended a big discussion on a feminist issue and I was trying to get him in a "gotcha" moment by asking him about the mum surgeon situation... but he replied correctly in an instant and with an eye roll!

I need to pick my moments...

BartholinsSister · 29/09/2018 19:58

It seems an odd scenario for the Dad not to have let the Mum know that their son has been in a car accident so bad he's being rushed to hospital.
Stranger still the Mum's reaction, after examining him, is to announce that he's her son.

AmabelleOnabike · 29/09/2018 19:53

My son recently spent 36 hours in an a&e and was treated by male nurses and female doctors. Several of each but consistently male nurses and female doctors. I was so pleased not least because he had his preconceptions (not from me, from books and tv I have to conclude!) Corrected.

megcustard · 29/09/2018 19:48

DD7 got it straight away which I'm pleased about!

BellMcEnd · 29/09/2018 19:47

Mine are in bed, I can’t wait to ask them in the morning and report back. DS3 (5) is a right little misogynist who’s horrified if a girl has short hairHmm.

DH got it right first time Smile

Going to text it to my parents now and see what they say.

GoofyIsACow · 29/09/2018 19:45

3 DS’s 10,7,7
Eldest - two dads :(
Middle - no idea
Youngest - his mum

Ffs we had a conversation earlier about colours because according to them all pink is for girls so they hate pink.
We are absolutely not like that in this house... 😡
It’s just ingrained in them, it’s made me cross and sad in one go!

CarolDanvers · 29/09/2018 19:44

My 12 and 15 year old suggested a gay couple. I’m actually horrified as I am a staunch feminist. It’s been a good learning opportunity though.

Ploppymoodypants · 29/09/2018 19:43

I did then ask DD if she would like to be a doctor and she said

‘No, it’s all too picky and runny and smelly’ 😂

ChiaraRimini · 29/09/2018 19:42

It's a good test of unconscious bias.

However my (white collar) workplace is now majority female from middle management downwards. The higher level management are more male but this is changing over time. Must work meetings I have, men are in the minority.

DadDadDad · 29/09/2018 19:42

Reminds me of this

Ploppymoodypants · 29/09/2018 19:41

Just asked DD who is just 6. And she said...
‘Oh is doctor the little boys mummy then?!’

My work is done 😁

C0untDucku1a · 29/09/2018 19:36

My 6 and 8 yr old said mum
Straight away

BertBox · 29/09/2018 19:36

DD9 didn't really understand, even after DH had (eventually) worked out the answer -"but WHY can't she operate on him?" Hmm

Anasnake · 29/09/2018 19:31

I've used that loads of times and many of them get that it's a woman - though I do work in a girl's school !

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