THE all-action combative omni-competent female lead in the new Star Wars film ticks all of the boxes for feminist campaigners. This agenda is perhaps most apparent when young newcomer Rey (Daisy Ridley) advises the vastly more experienced (male) owner of the Millennium Falcon on its technical operation, and, surprise, surprise, turns out to be right.
Anyone familiar with Bob the Builder will recall the overt perpetual technical superiority of Wendy, Bob's boss. I expect this sort of feminist influence in children's programmes on the BBC, but not in a Star Wars film.
The solution to the "problem" of fewer women opting to pursue studies and careers in engineering is not to engineer fictional characters portraying the female wonder-technicians that the hordes of feminist academics, bloggers and campaigners decided not to become. We should just accept that men and women tend to have different inclinations and interests, and not try to steer people away from what they want to do. Even in the most "enlightened" Scandinavian countries, gender divisions in career sectors are still clear.
I urge everyone to choose a career path that fits their personal aptitudes, values and ambitions. Others want to steer people into certain careers in order to fulfil the feminist dream of an androgynous statistical utopia.
Richard Lucas,
11 Broomyknowe, Colinton, Edinburgh.
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