The difference between boys and girls lessens when it comes down to their academic skills (Image: Cheyenne Glasgow/Gretty)

IN 2010 we need to ask afresh just how deep the rabbit hole goes when it comes to gender politics – and how far we are from digging ourselves out. Our beliefs about differences between the sexes have an impact on society vastly out of proportion to the magnitude of those differences, from female scientists defending their mathematical and technical expertise to boys accused of lacking the communication and emotional skills to succeed at school.

In truth, women are doing well in science: …