Letters to the Editor
Christine McKaskle
Published Letters: 49 Editor's Choice: 4
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Sexism alive and well in "compliments," too
[Read the article: Wait a minute: Iron whose shirt?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Just a reminder that in the same week that one heckler yelled, "Iron my shirt," another one "proposed." The media coverage of that heckler (who may not have been referred to as a heckler, come to think of it)would have us believe that Clinton found this charming. Maybe. Or maybe she just recognizes that if it takes so much for people to get it that sexism is alive and well, they probably wouldn't understand any other response.
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Contributing to the rest of us
[Read the article: Marching into the mommy wars]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I look forward to reading this novel and found the interview engaging.
I am intrigued, though, by the assumption that if intelligent people aren’t working for money, then they aren’t contributing to the rest of us.
I’m not just speaking to the fact that we would all be better off if more human beings were being raised intelligently (God knows), but also to the fact that a professional person who currently raises children “full time” is also likely to contribute hundreds of highly marketable hours per year in volunteer work. Churches, schools and other non-profits only exist as they do thanks to the professional but unpaid skills of "at-home" women.
Not that that’s a good thing. But please note that it’s not society who gets gypped in that arrangement. A gifted professional who wants to be present for parenting has to forgo salary and benefits – in most cases – to have the kind of control over her own schedule that supports her priorities.
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Beware armchair diagnoses...
[Read the article: I'm a college student with no natural social skills]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...including this one! But do take this into consideration.
Introversion and extroversion actually have little to do with social skill. They have to do with what charges your battery. A straight up introvert may have great social finesse but needs time alone to feel rejuvenated. An extrovert can have terrible social skills but needs the interaction to get his juices flowing.
People with ADHD (whether the H is prominent or not) also struggle with social skills. "Natural social skills" are simply the result of being able to attend to important cues and filter out extraneous ones.
You're missing cues until you've already passed up a date you didn't realize was being offered. You mention struggling to keep up if there's more than one other person involved in an interaction. Because of these clues, I would find out who is skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in your area (not every psychiatrist is very knowledgeable about it) and go in for an interview.
Because it's cheaper, you may first want to take a look at a book called, "You Mean I'm NOT Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?" which presents many case studies on ADHD that go beyond the stereotypes. Or take a look at the many articles on the Web about ADD and its effects on women.
For men, untreated ADHD often results in addiction and/or incarceration. For women, it very often results in depression and anxiety. This is worth investigating. Especially if you've had to go back and re-read any of my letter (or Cary's, for that matter) due to your attention wandering.
You're not weird - your letter shows you to be delightful. And you deserve to be able to communicate that to the people who interest you.
God bless.
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On the flip side...
[Read the article: What causes crybabies?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Yes, the beginning of kindergarten was tougher than average, but also more than average was the wattage of her smile when she saw me from across the room. Fun times! I remember that more than the crying, but I guess it's all in what you focus on.
Any mother familiar with the myths or truths of the last generation or three can tell you if the children in her family are at a higher risk for addiction. Just goes to show how important it is that parents not be ashamed to share information about the disease in their families.
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Not quite that personal
[Read the article: Americans more ready for a black president than a woman?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I am not surprised to hear those statistics, but I really don't think it has as much to do with the individuals involved as either of their supporters or detractors would like to believe. The order in which people in this country were granted their right to vote is probably a better predictor of "who goes first" as President than an analysis of their individual accomplishments and personalities.