Let girls make own choices

Sir, - I hope that girls continue to ignore special exhortations to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics and instead just follow courses that reflect their own interests, whatever they are.

No one should feel pressurised to sacrifice their own academic ambitions just to satisfy the vision of feminists.

Instead of trying to influence younger girls, feminist campaigners could recommend all young women currently studying gender or women’s studies should transfer to engineering or metallurgy instead.

That would be a step towards closing the “gender pay gap” and martyrdom always inspires emulation.

Males and females tend to have different interests and priorities.

The general inclination of girls is towards the personal rather than the mechanical, so claims that it is all the product of sinister social conditioning are triumphs of dogma over fact.

Feminists glorify characteristics more common in males and urge women to emulate them, while claiming to be fighting on behalf of women.

I regard men and women as complementary, combining to meet the needs of family, economy and society.

Richard Lucas. 11 Broomyknowe, Colinton, Edinburgh.