Different roles for genders

Sir, - A key fact emerged on International Women’s Day: most people don’t want quotas of females enforced in senior positions.

Despite this lack of support, the political establishment takes it for granted that such measures are justified. This is yet another issue where voters are prevented from expressing their views at the ballot box because the main parties fail to represent a spectrum of opinion.

The liberal left loves identity grievance politics: what better justification for faith in big government than to convince people that they are part of a persecuted

minority that needs special protection from the benevolent state?

The fact is that men and women are, in general, different.

Intellectual differences are not significant, but differences in outlook and values are substantial.

Women tend to be more drawn to commit themselves to domestic and family life, while men are inclined to the world outside the family.

That can lead to a happy and effectively balanced husband and wife team, giving children what they most need while the family is provided for materially.

This is not coincidental or the product of dark forces of socialisation, but is by design.

Anyone wishing to adopt another model of family life should be free to do so, without state interference. But those choosing a more tradi- tional arrangement should not be penalised financially, and their taxes spent on subsidised child care for twin working families.

The SNP can try all it likes to make men and women make the same choices and behave in the same manner, but it won’t work.

There will always be more female primary school teachers and more male politicians.

Why can’t we just let people do what they want to do?

A woman who chooses full-time motherhood and a career offering more relational fulfilment than financial gain should not be regarded as a traitor to the feminist cause, a part of the paygap problem, or a weakwilled collaborator with patriarchy.

The way for a society to fulfil its potential is to cherish freedom of choice and celebrate contributions in all spheres of life. Richard Lucas. 11 Broomyknowe, Colinton, Edinburgh.

Women tend to be more drawn to commit themselves to domestic and family life, while men are inclined to the world outside the family