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