To think that scholarships for women shouldn't be open to men?

[HermioneWeasley]

So, scholarship to support women in STEM - a massive issue for all societies that we're not harnessing th talents of half our populations in this area.

But if you "identify as a woman in a way that's meaningful to you" you can apply.

What the ever loving fuck?

Another example of the damage being done to actual women, by saying that "woman" is a feeling in a man's head.

Why do so many people on Mumsnet have such a huge problem with trans people?

Am I the only person not seeing it as the slap in the face to feminism it seems to be perceived as on here?!

The thing is, though, worded like that there's no need for any transition at all. How is a biological male who is not on hormones and does not dress in feminine clothing in any way disadvantaged over any other male just because he feels feminine? How would Danielle Muscato be disadvantaged entering a STEM field, for instance? Opening scholarships to transitioned trans people is one thing, but this is something else, surely.

I wore trousers and flats to work today so henceforth I shall identify in a way that is meaningful to me as a man and claim my 20 years of 30% less pay in a male dominated industry.

That's how it works right?!

The posted criteria don't say anything about hormones, or transitioning, or living one single day as a woman, though. Not one word. "Do you identify as a woman in a way that is meaningful to you". That's it.

One could qualify by saying "I've always liked pink, and as a child I preferred dolls to trucks, and I just don't think "Dave" suits me as a name and I quite fancy trying out "Audrey" for a bit instead ".

nak not sure what stigma these Transwomen are experiencing? They walk through thr world looking like men and benefitting from male privilege

Genetically I'm half male. That sounds "meaningful" enough to me.

So women who don't get a STEM scholarship are "suffering" how exactly?

nakupenda clearly you're not the only one - as the cries of transphobia illustrate but make no mistake shit like this is a huge slap in the face for feminism

Nakupenda: please define woman, in a way that doesn't use (or imply the use of) woman.

So not "anyone who feels like one"

Don't have a problem with trans people - I have a problem with the way that women are expected to move aside for them by virtue-signallers like this organisation.

how to tell the difference between alex, genuine transwoman expanding the bandwidth of womanhood by not taking hormones or surgery and keeping a full beard, and a man in a dress for the purposes of an interview?
www.buzzfeed.com/patrickstrudwick/this-transgender-woman-has-a-full-beard-and-she-couldnt-be-h?utm_term=.tf5XaO6Nn9#.ko5dAJE3ew

Bloody hell there's some serious misogyny allowed on Mumsnet.

This scholarship is funded by Cards Against Humanity?!?

yummy we'll, f the intention is about trying to level the playing field and a male person is awarded the scholarship, all you're getting is more male people in a male dominated field. Hardly a win for women's rights, is it?

What if it was a scholarship open to black students, or anyone who identified as black in s way that's meaningful to them? Would everyone who's cool with men taking scholarships for women think that's ok?

👍 liney

Real science does not support the 'female brain' myth underlying the 'identifying as a woman' idea.

Real science does confirm the existence of stereotype threats which can make girls underperform in STEM or think that it's not for people like them.

The latter is why scholarships and other initiatives specifically targetted at girls and women who have been exposed to stereotypes for their whole lives are required.

I'm sorry if my views offend feminists, I truly am.

I just can't get worked up about stuff like that. Live and let live, if a man wants to be feminine and identify as a woman then meh, fair enough.

Is anyone who identifies as disabled entitled to the DSA (disabled student allowance) that enables me to study?

I have no problem in women moving aside for the more deserving trans.

After all, as this scholarship illustrates, men have to move aside for the more deserving women.

FullTimeYummy your comment about "poor little women" was beyond offensive.
It's a WOMEN's scholarship therefore no woman should be moving aside for anyone born and socialised as male.
Women are already massively under-represented in STEM subjects, not least because of this ridiculously gendered socialisation that we are subjected to.
The whole trans ethos totally reinforces the neat gender boxes thing that is so damaging to women.

yummy who are the "more deserving trans"? Are all trans women inherently more deserving that boring old women?

Even the sex offenders, paedophiles, rapists and murderers?

To that, I can only reiterate my agreeance with liney upthread.

YADNBU. Interesting blog post here:

abutterflysdiary.wordpress.com/2016/09/20/sex-based-oppression-and-stem-why-scholarships-for-women-matter/

The reason women need STEM scholarships is because women are under represented due to the disadvantages of basically being born women, disadvantages that a transwoman will not have experienced being male.

Transwomen are not women. They are a minority group of men who require their own help and rights and protections, but they are not women and should not access things designed to make life more equal for women.

Oh, the irony of someone who denies biological fact being eligible for a STEM scholarship...

There are some police forces now regarding misogyny as a hate crime.

Actually, 'men have to move aside for more deserving women' is correct.

Initiatives to encourage women into STEM will result in some mediocre men being displaced by more talented women who'd otherwise have been diverted into stereotypically female jobs. Does anyone have a rational reason to think that's not a good thing?