Gender clarity 1

I sympathise with my academic peers (Letters, THES , May 24). With only the feature "Sink schools" ( THES , May 17) to go on, I, too, might conclude that I was narcissistic, envious and fearful. But perhaps it was my interviewer's intention to discredit my book The Miseducation of Women .

I proffer rational arguments and evidence to support the view that differences between women and men may have educational implications. Far from "not valuing women's educational abilities", I agree with Germaine Greer that we should be "singing and dancing that womanhood is beautiful" rather than insisting that young women can gain status and respect only by aping men.

Some of my arguments address the work of two letter writers, Miriam E. David and Carrie Paechter. I agree with the latter's position against the former's. My argument may have weaknesses and flaws that need to be teased out through debate. But I would prefer debate based on a careful reading of the book, rather than through ad hominem jibes inspired by some one-sided journalese.

James Tooley
Professor of education policy
University of Newcastle upon Tyne