The reason women go to university

[NicholasTeakozy]

Is to find a man to marry according to Boris Johnson, that well known paragon of virtue and upholder of equality nowhere.

FreedomOfTheTess, you don't need to 'imagine' a woman who would go to university to find a husband. I've already said that I did!

Boris is wrong to generalise about women and belittle the meaning of their education but I see a lot of women generalising about each other too! I think I was unusual. I think I was a bit silly - but there we go, let's not in the name of equality try to suggest that women don't/shouldn't have the freedom to do whatever they want - even if what they want is misguided.
Actually finding my husband (at the ripe old age of 28 and not at university) was and remains one of the best things I've ever done. For me - not talking about anyone else - love is what makes the world go round, not academic honours and career success (they're important too but I won't be pressured into pretending they mean more to me than people).

Allegra I don't think there is anything wrong or particularly unusual about what you are saying.

It's Boris and other chauvinists suggesting that that attitude is unique to women that I find abhorrent.

As if men don't do things in the pursuit of women. It is only women out there tricking men into fancying them. Even pretending to like higher education- how implausible! They must be after a man..

I didn't go to university.

still bagged a man though, Hey Boris? guess I just got lucky

I think it is very muddled thinking to go to university to bag a man. The costs of a university education are £9k a year for fees and £5k a year for living expenses. Let's just say £45k all-in.

Whereas the cost of a night at a local nightclub, where man-bagging is almost obligatory, are unlikely to be more than £100.

Do the maths

Actually, I've just done the maths. For 450 nights out at a local night club, spread over three years, you can have the cost of a university education. You can have a job during this time, because you are only going to be clubbing 1 night in 3.

I really do think I've cracked it.

Wuldric you'd need to factor in the cost of moving to a university town if you don't already live in one... Preferably a Russell group one- don't forget Boris' point is mainly totally about type class of man.

There's far too many of the great unwashed at university nowadays for that POV surely?

Okay then, instead of getting pissed and dancing at the local nightclub which in truth would be more fun, I choose to invest my £45k in taking up rugby, polo or sailing.

I met my husband at university- my reason for going is that you need a degree to do my job! He earns less than me, was he looking for a wife?

Factually you are correct, but we are dealing with Boris' mind here...

Nice sidestep though

My husband went to university and found a wife. As many men do.

Or is it irrelevant to their point to consider it that way round?

Bit much for Boris J to say this when his wife is a barrister (although I am not sure if she still practises - Marina Wheeler).
60% of those going to university are female now.

It is very sexist to say that is why all women go. Most go to study and then to get a good career. Plenty of us would like to be London Major even if we are female. We would ilke to be Prime Minster and own hedge funds. Women can be extremely ambitious and adore money and power. It is sexist to suggest that women want home and hearth and childcare and cleaning and have no interest in succeeding at work.

Gawd... when I went to university I didn't really imagine ever getting married or having children....

I am married (met DH at 29) and pregnant (at 36) but I still don't define myself solely as 'wife' or 'mother-to-be'. There's a lot more to me than that.