Well, Forstater and I may understand each other, but we may disagree on  
whether it really matters to economic theory that "people in U.S. and  
European cultures tend to mentally associate certain characteristics with  
masculinity or femininity."  Historians may find it interesting and useful  
in their work, and social agitators may use that assertion to bolster their  
own ill-conceived ventures into social engineering, but I don't see much  
reason for economic theorists per se to care about popular culture.  Those  
interested in policy questions may find it necessary to take into account  
culture in making recommendations for change.  
  
Walter Williams once told me that early in his teaching career his  
department chairman asked him to teach a course on "Black Economics."  
Walter replied that he was uncertain what "Black Economics" might be.  For  
example, he asked, would demand curves in "Black Economics" be kinkier than  
those in "White Economics?"  Needless to say, someone other than Walter  
taught the course.  
  
Samuel Bostaph