Is there something wrong here?

Read the URL of this page. Next, read the title of this article. Ok, now read the name of the author. Why is a guy writing about skepticism and women in Latin America for a site named skepchick.org? The answer is as sad as it is simple: there are not many Latin American women involved in science, let alone skeptical activism.

Why is this? Unfortunately, it’s due in part to the reigning culture in Latin American families. While I hate to perpetuate the stereotype of the Latino as a macho ape that likes his women pretty and submissive, the fact that, in Venezuela, there is still a strong discrimination against women only leads me to conclude that the “macho ape” is still pretty much alive. Yes, there has been progress over the past years, but as many sociological studies show, there is still a long way to go.

Smart women intimidate most men mainly because they feel that if a woman is not a vacuous dolt with C-cups or a motherly, nurturing figure, there is a good chance that she is a treacherous hoyden out to take away the male’s property… and his manhood.

The average Latin American family is matriarchal in nature (in which men rarely take part of family life, if at all), but this tradition does not translate into an acceptance of a woman’s capacity to handle the complexities of an independent life. The successes of single women raising children and establishing businesses seem to have only translated in a contradictory mindset for women in most Latin American countries: a woman is expected to be assertive, sprightly and smart only in those matters pertaining to family, but she should be a submissive and understanding consort in every other aspect of her life. Any outstanding proficiencies or skills are commonly seen as a deviation from the proper role of a woman in the, traditionally Catholic, Latin American family.

Sexual discrimination is not the only problem. Women in Venezuela seem to be astonishingly supercilious and are disdainful of the idea of showing themselves as knowledgeable of science. Many are smart and educated enough, they just shun at the possibility of “coming out” as the bright women they are. They are closeted skepchicks. Throughout their lives they have been told that asking questions, thinking for themselves or just plain learning about science are not the feminine thing to do. I have had long arguments with my mother where she defended the ludicrous position that women were inherently worse at science than men were, and that they should conform to roles as removed from science and skeptical inquiry as possible. This was a terrible reminder of what happens when you elevate incoherent prejudices to the level of fact.

Venezuelan women are also extremely focused on their looks. It often surprises foreigners that Latin American women put so much stock on their appearance. This is sometimes misinterpreted as Latin American women being vapid coquettes, but there are reasons for their madness and it is not just to please men. There are, regrettably, socio-economical factors behind this.

Over the past 20 years, the Venezuelan economy has received serious blows due in part to incompetent, corrupt administrations and populist economic programs. This has lead people to search for quick and easy ways to attain economic stability. One of those swift paths to riches, for women at least, is that time-honored way to secure wealth: to marry rich. In order to do so, women in Venezuela go out of their way to make themselves as physically attractive as possible. This has made plastic surgery a booming industry in Venezuela, with plastic surgeons actually becoming household names. Success, it is perceived, has little to do with skill and talent and more to do with seizing a dupe with a fat wallet.

Another way out of poverty for women in Venezuela is to become models or to take part in any of the many beauty pageants held in the country. Venezuela has had a long tradition of beauty queens, with almost ten victories in the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. This has made the Miss Venezuela pageant a national event that gathers families and friends around the television set for a long look at the most beautiful (and admittedly vapid) women in the country.

Young women go through a strenuous selection process in order to have an opportunity to participate in the Miss Venezuela pageant. The process is a grinder consisting of constant exercise, dieting, and, if deemed necessary, plastic surgery and modeling school. Those who do not make it are left to try again with their bodies and self-esteem shattered. Those who do, however, are in for a ride: modeling contracts, television shows, soap operas and national recognition await them. Venezuelan show business is teeming with former beauty queens turned actresses, show hostesses or even news anchors. It is hard to resist such a beautiful siren song.

How do we counter the lure of the hot dolt? How do we get more young women interested in science, rationality and skeptical inquiry? There are no quick and easy solutions, since this involves changing the mindset of an entire society. However, organizations like Skepchicks, Intl. are a step in the right direction; showing girls and women that it is not just fine to be smart, but that it is great and should be encouraged. The explosive growth of the Skepchick movement is excellent evidence that there are women willing to challenge those prejudices and stupid social standards and by showing their skeptical chops. We should all support their work and help them grow so they truly mean the “International” part of their name.

I, for one, will continue to spread the word about the Skepchicks amongst my male and female compatriots, as well as browbeat every guy I know into yelling and repeating after me: “¡La inteligencia es sexy!” (Smart is sexy!)

Jesús Pineda (22), a Venezuelan, is currently finishing his B.Sc. studies in Physics at Simón Bolívar University. He has been a member for the Venezuelan Rational Skeptic Association, AREV for almost four years. He has written articles on quantum mechanics and pseudoscience, youth and skepticism, among other subjects.

ISSUE 5 CREDITS

Skepchick-in-Chief
Rebecca Watson

Managing Editor
Diane Perry

News Editor
Chani Overli

Contributing Writers
Lynette Davidson, Donna Druchunas, Chris Blohm, Jamila Bey-Greenhouse, Jesús Pineda, Benjamin Radford, Mike McRae, Ed Rabin

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"Flash Guru" Nick

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