The stereotype of gender differences in natural ability in math and science persists despite evidence to the contrary. Boys are often told in subtle ways that success in these areas reflects their essence and will continue; girls, that theirs is due to effort and is, therefore, less certain. Girls often receive less attention and instruction even though their success equals that of boys. Since girls’ self-confidence is buoyed by feedback, the relative absence of it diminishes their self-perception as talented in these “masculine” subjects and decreases the likelihood they will continue in them. Textbooks confirm that women rarely rank among the achievers. -Susan Harris Howell
My conversation with Crystal Martin is inspired by Susan Harris Howell’s Buried Talents: Overcoming Gendered Socialization to Answer God’s Call. Crystal, who led a national network for women in ministry, helps unpack Howell’s assessment of how we arrived at a gender “gap” between men and women in church leadership roles and responsibilities. Crystal also helps us consider the kind of flourishing that could be achieved for both women and men if only the church can overcome the limiting effects of gendered socialization.
01:49 State of women in ministry in the church
15:55 on Crystal’s reading life
18:41 Buried Talents conversation
Resources Mentioned & Affiliate Links:**
Buried Talents: Overcoming Gendered Socialization to Answer God’s Call by Susan Harris Howell
Up Home by Ruth J. Simmons
Your Vocational Credo by Deborah Koehn Loyd
Northern Seminary
*Follow Crystal on IG.
YPRB host Heather Weber is a book-obsessed pastor, seminarian, and author. She is the author of Dear Boy,: An Epistolary Memoir. Find out more about her writing and creative projects at www.heatherweber.org. And, subscribe to her Dear Exiles newsletter at heatherweber.substack.com.
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