Thursday, May 19, 2011

What? Women don't engage in Lewd (and Unsolicited) Sexual Behavior? Right! (NYT)

Below is an extract from this morning's NYTimes story of the currently thought leading candidate for MD of the IMF, France's Minister of Finance.  Ms. Christine Lagarde has a fabulous reputation, loads of experience, and maybe even a 'rock star' persona as this story suggested.  But the quote taken below is truly puzzling for me.




Significant emphasis is placed upon the notion that what has happened with the former male IMF MD wouldn't happen with a women at the helm?  Really?  Women in power?  Women knowingly with strong personalities?  Ever watched Disclosure?  


While I understand that there certainly are differing behavioural probabilities by gender, I also believe that the implication that a woman at the helm could not be caught in the same circumstances also has a probability - and its not zero.  


Power and money have corrupted many a soul - and maybe that shouldn't be a surprise?  Is it not of fundamental nature to the human spirit to take advantage of opportunity?  Like I have recently read - why do we think that millions of years of evolution and mental programing can be changed in several thousands of years of domestication and industrialization?  I believe it is important to remember that with the abuse of power and money and influence (though diplomatic immunity here did not factor in), life takes active effort, and a conscious choice.  To lead a life , personal and professional, filled with honesty and integrity and respect for others.  I don't think men and women necessarily behave along gender lines in matters like this.  They each have the same opportunity to behave in the way they choose - everyone, absolutely everyone makes their own choices.


For Mr. Strauss-Kahn, the consequences of his choices are now being realized.
“What’s happened with Strauss-Kahn underscores how great it would be to have a woman in the role,” said Kenneth S. Rogoff, a former I.M.F. chief economist who is now a professor at Harvard University.
 If she gets the post, Ms. Lagarde would be the first woman to run the I.M.F. — or any large international financial institution, for that matter. But Mr. Rogoff indicated gender was only part of her appeal.
READ FULL STORY HERE 

No comments: