Sexual harassment in medicine, the Boy Scouts controversial breakdown of gender barriers, how to prevent mass shootings, and how a gap year in school helped a black woman.

Welcome to TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) Tuesdays.  I summarize and discuss two articles — one from a blogger, and from one a “traditional news” source.  I also provide links to two other blog posts you should read on your own, with a goal to feature bloggers that have popped up on here before and/or that I read on my own.

This concept is inspired by my father, who sends everyone in the family articles links by email, by my older brother, who sends articles so long I never read them, and my wife, who became tired of me sending her articles, and has been telling me “TL;DR” for years.

I write these 1-4x/month (unfortunately I didn’t publish any in June — sorry).. Click here to read all of them over time.

2 Things For You To Read:

#1: The Privilege of a Gap Year as a Black Woman from Petitely Packaged

#2: “Whistleblowers don’t fare well here”: A tale of sexual harassment in science — an enlightening guest post hosted by Defiant Bitch, MD

2 Things I Read For You

#1

Source: Ainslies

Title: Can I Do Anything to Prevent Mass Shootings?

Summary: Mass shootings seem to be on the rise in the U.S., and most of us feel helpless.  What is at the root of it and what can we do to slow them?  The author thinks lack of community connections are part of the problem, and believes being more engaged with those in our neighborhoods could help prevent shootings,

Conclusion: I appreciate the author’s sentiment, though I disagree with some of his assertions, such as the italicized portion of the following: “[I]f we kept all guns out of the hands of the shooters, we wouldn’t have mass shootings… The antithesis is also obvious. If every citizen was armed and capable, we’d have fewer mass casualties.  I’m a pretty firm believer that more guns will not lead to fewer gun deaths, and believe the science has proven that in many ways.  We may have fewer “mass” shootings but we’ll have a hell of a lot more non-mass shootings if everyone had a gun.  The general sentiment about lack of connection to neighbors is absolutely true in some communities — I strongly feel that in my current neighborhood.  Two years ago we moved from a city block with all working class families and 3 feet of space between houses where kids played in the front yard to pure suburbia. We’ve made friends and our kids have made friends in the neighborhood, but it’s absolutely less personal.  It’s not surprising, because that’s the point — more space between the giant houses you never have to leave except when you get in a car because nothing is walking distance  — the suburban lifestyle is designed to isolate, and it takes an extraordinary effort to combat it.  I am dubious that this has a significant correlation to mass shootings, but I do believe there is value in breaking the isolation we’ve intentionally created.

Read This Also: The Compliment Sandwich is a Shit Sandwich

#2

Source:New York Times

Title: Boy Scouts Will Drop the ‘Boy’ in Its Namesake Program, as It Welcomes Girls Next Year

Summary: This is from a couple of months ago — the Boy Scouts will no longer just be for Boys.  Girls are being welcome to the club and the organization will just be the “Scouts.”  The Boy Scouts say it’s a way to welcome people who want the scouting experience. Girl Scouts aren’t super happy, saying it’s a blatant attempt to boost membership at their expense.

Conclusion: I am a father of three boys; my oldest has been a Cub Scout for two years.  I hear what seem to be legitimate pros and cons on both sides, and I don’t know what to think.  Having spent some time at a prep school that did separate boys and girls in some classes, and knowing there is scientific literature showing that kids can do better in same gender classes, I can see a reason to keep things separate.  Kids do have the potential to have growth that they may not have when around the opposite gender — I don’t think that’s a sexist statement.  Being a modestly liberal guy who wants everyone to have equal potential for growth, I want girls to have the same opportunities boys have.

I don’t know anything about Girl Scouts besides the cookies, so I have minimal insight into how different/similar the experiences truly are and whether girls are “missing” anything.  The current/former Girl Scouts out there seem proud of their organization, and they probably have every right to be proud.  I think their fear is the young girls are basically pawns in a power play for membership and money.  I sincerely hope that is not the case.  Ultimately I think most girls will probably stick with Girl Scouts, primarily because I think most kids that age often prefer being with other kids of the same gender, and the ones that cross over will be fine and have a great time.

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