March is National Women’s History Month, so designated by Congress in 1987 to recognize and celebrate the achievements of American women that often go unnoticed.
Now, I don’t have the space to note all of the achievements of American women over the years – such a list would take several volumes – but, as a longtime observer and admirer of women, I can comment on a few attributes in which women are superior.
And it’s not just my opinion.
Everything I’m about to tell you is substantiated in studies and surveys, many of them conducted by universities. I will also include some pithy quotes from Maxine, the crabby old woman on greeting cards and the world lightweight champion of male-bashing.
Here goes:
* Men’s brains are bigger, not better. Latest research indicates that women have taken over the lead in IQ test scores. Maxine would say: “The three sweetest words a man can say: ‘You were right.’”
* More women actually graduate when they attend college. And men are more likely to take longer than five years to complete their degree, a report says. “A man and a quilt will both keep you warm at night,” Maxine says, “but a quilt never says anything stupid.”
* Women are better learners: According to researchers, women tend to be more attentive, flexible, and organized. “I wouldn’t say women are superior to men,” says Maxine. “Why state the obvious?”
* Women eat healthier food. Speaking of stating the obvious, that tidbit came from a survey conducted by the University of Minnesota. Maxine, however, doesn’t always eat healthy food. She says: “Chocolate is a woman’s reward for putting up with men.” And: “I want to thank everyone who brings healthy treats to a Christmas party. Those extra five minutes in the nursing home are sure to be heavenly.”
* Women’s desks at work are less germy: Researchers discovered that men had anywhere from 10 to 20 percent more bacteria in their workspaces than women—and scientists say it’s because men don’t bathe as often. From Maxine: “Notice how the recipe for gingerbread men doesn’t call for manners or brains.”
* Women live longer than men: Among the world’s population of folks who are over 100 years old, 85 percent are women. Also, women in general live five to 10 years longer than men. Says Maxine: “Aging hasn’t slowed me down, and it won’t shut me up.”
* Women make better investments. A study of 100,000 portfolios showed that women’s investment returns outperform men’s, 18 percent to 11 percent. Women typically are more cautious in their decisions and think longer term. “The price of gas is ridiculous,” Maxine says. “Unfortunately, the price of hiring men to carry me around on a throne is ridiculous, too.”
* Women are more likely to talk through their problems. Well, most men I know don’t talk much. So that’s one reason.
We’ll let Maxine have the last word, as we prepare to celebrate National Women’s History Month:
“A man without a woman is a bachelor. A woman without a man is a genius.”
Phil Hudgins is senior editor of Community Newspapers Inc. Email phudgins@cninewspapers.com.