Girl Mathematician: Math is of the utmost importance

Whether it is a girl or a boy, a knowledge of math is of the utmost importance.

Of course there's math and there's higher mathematics. I'm speeking of math. The ability to add, subtract, divide and do percentages. These are necessary simply to get along in the world - to fill out a timecard, balance one's checkbook (or check-card), plan a budget, take a vacation, and so on.

As I posted a few days ago, it is a myth that girls can't be as good at math as boys...it is simply that girls are pressured, from a young age, to forget about trying to do math, because everyone knows girls aren't any good at it. (This despite the fact that most bookkeepers are women, etc. Well, of course that isn't higher math...)

Anyway, I urge you, regardless of how old your child is, to encourage in her a love of mathematics. Start her early, and work on the simplest math problems. Also start her early on learning how to save money, and the value of money!

Many people - male or female - will never be able to grasp the concepts in higher mathematics. There is nothing wrong with this. But they should be encouraged to grasp as much about math as they posssibly can.

Make an effort to keep your girl(s) interested in math when it does move into the realm of higher mathematics - algebra, trigonometry, geometry and so on. If they do show an interest...and all of a sudden stop...do a little probing to find out if they're being teased in school because of their prowess. Unfortunately, a lot of girls who are good at a certain subject will drop it immediately should they be teased by their peers. And female peers, even at a young age, so enjoy teasing....

Sometimes the child (boy or girl) can grasp these concepts, but just isn't ready to. Be patient, perhaps hire a tutor if you are not comfortable with helping her with her homework. Find a math club for girls - or form one yourself.

Education is under fire in this country. I won't go into that, except to say that in the final analysis, a person's education is their own responsbility - or if they are children, the responsibility of their parents. With access to the internet, a child can take math classes, or any other type of class, visit the entire world, learn anything they want to learn.

It is up to the parent to instill in their child a love of learning. To work with teachers to make their child the best-educated that that child can be.