$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$ hogz of entropy #210 $$$$$P $$$$ $$$$ moo, oink, up your butt. $$$$P $$$$ x$$$$ $$$P $$$$ xP$$$$ d$$$$$$$$$$$. $$$. $$$$xP $$$$ $$$$$$' >$$$$ $$$$$$$$$. $$$$P $$$$ 4$$$$$. .$$$$' $$$$'`4$$$b. $$$$ $$$$ 4$$$$$$$$$P' $$$$b 4$$$$b. $$$$$$$$$$$ 4$$$< %% $$$$$b 4$$$$$x $$$$$$$$$$$ 4$$$$$$$$$ %% >> "HYPE eZine -- Special Edition" << by -> Craig Martin ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- H Y P E -- *** Special Edition *** So soon? Yes, we're back with a burning issue. Contents: 1. Girls Vs Boys 2. Your Letters ---------- Special Report: Girls Vs Boys ---------------------------- We look into the deepening problem of declining boy education standards. Once again, last years exam results clearly indicate that girls are outperforming boys by an even larger margin than 1996. However, not much seems to be done about it by government. Instead, some people, women in particular, think it's a dilemma to laugh at: "I always said girls were better than boys! Now it's the boys' turn to suffer. It's their entire fault. We're the best; they're just stupid. I have GIRL POWER." Pardon me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the idea of women's liberation was to make sure everybody had the same rights and opportunities, regardless of sex? It has become acceptable to disrespect males, while if any man were court saying, "Women are stupid" there would be uproar. Still, even more worrying is the age that boys are being subjected to such sexism. Boys as young as eight have been reported to saying things like: "It's no-good mum, I can't beat the girls. They're just better than us." Hang on a second, wasn't it the other-way-round 30 years ago? Weren't girls portrayed as the inferior sex? This demoralisation of boys' esteem has, and there's evidence to show it, made boys under perform. Is this an acceptable situation? Is it the women's chance to get their own back on males? I fear that this is the attitude taken by many women. It looks as-if the "equal" analogy has been temporally forgotten. Today's girls are being bought up with anti-male opinions - mothers (and fathers) will support their daughter with comments such as "Don't worry love, you'll beat those silly boys easily". "Girl Power" has become predominant lately, with role models of many young girls, like the Spice Girls, continually promoting Girl Power and "we're better than stupid boys" opinions. The anger of many women (even some that have never been victim to sexism) is being taken out on today's young males. I find this totally unacceptable, and this view would never have occurred the other way round. Males are scared to speak out against women, because more often than not they'll get a sexist badge plastered on their head - even if the issue was not sex related at all. But, as yet, a girl can freely speak about beating and being superior to boys thus gaining respect from fellow pro-female anti-male supporters. Has the pendulum swung too far? Or maybe that now generally girls aren't suppressed, they have been able to show their true selves, and are, indeed, better than boys. Has the race to ensure that the school curriculum is balanced and unfavouring gone too far in one direction? Certainly, I find, and know many other boys do, that the books on the English syllabus are almost definitely ones that suit girls better. In all, there is no true answer to why this imbalance is transpiring. It could be a bit of all the factors. Without doubt, the issue is still going to with us in the new millennium, and government and society will have to face it promptly when boys (especially younger age groups) standards decline yet further. Girl Power attitudes may become a thing of the past, and just as unacceptable as Boy Power attitudes. The real danger lies with not the older generations of males who can stand up for themselves, it is the new generations of under 10's who gain their entire wisdom of morals and society within that time - if they are made to feel inferior to girls at an early age, it will stick with them throughout their entire adult life. This should be avoided at all costs. By Craig Martin - Hype eZine Editor ---------- Your Letters: Hanson Absurd? ---------------------------- Dear Hype eZine, I was recently disgusted to read such absurd comments regarding Hanson in the last issue. I was positively disgusted. Hanson have a huge amount of talent, and it's quite clear to me which sex they are. I feel that your comments were unneeded and thoughtless. I'm sure you would be insulted if you were referred to as needing a sex-change operation. Once you are rich and famous, I will respect your opinion. From now on I don't wish to read "Hype", so I'd be grateful if you could remove me from your mailing list. Regards, Hanson Fan, USA (received via email). Hype replies: A touchy topic for you was it Mr, Mrs or Miss Hanson Fan? Yes, why did you go nameless? Was that a vain attempt to hide the fact to your friends that you are a Hanson fan? I can see how that would bring considerable shame on you. Obviously, the sex-change issue is something close to your heart; don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I haven't had any more complaints about that. Maybe other people got the joke. Your email address will be removed from the mailing list after this issue. Then, after you've buggered off we can continue to slag Hanson off as much as we like. Goodbye dear! ----------------------------------------------------- Distribution: 70 email, 30 printed sheet (school). 100! Have a strong opinion on any topic covered in this issue? Want to raise another issue? Have a suggestion for another special report you would like to see? Let us know here at Hype: hype@btinternet.com (c) 1998 Hype eZine. If you wished to be removed from the Hype eZine subscriber list, please request that in a reply to this email. If you wish to be added to the regular mailing list, please email us and request that. There are placements available to permanent writers' and contributors -- applications should be sent to the Hype email address. Editor: Craig Martin (craig.m@btinternet.com) Co-writer: James Matheson (james.m@btinternet.com) Distribution Assistance: Richard Phillips Pre-press check: D.A.Bryant As you can see, we are growing and still looking for more team-mates. Corporate advertising slots are being made available, please contact us if you wish to advertise. A website is under development and professionally printed quarterly issues should be available in 2 months. Thank you for your continued support! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- * (c) HoE publications. HoE #210 -- written by Craig Martin -- 3/13/98 *