<and from set ideas. These ideas have not yet disappeared. You can still have to face the old argument: <"Why hasn't there been a female Picasso, Beethoven, Einstein or Balzac? Isn't it a proof that mwn aren't creative?">

Those who say such a thing give evidence that they never even thought of wmn's situation the past. Secluded in their father's or husband's houses, deprived of all knowledge or experience of the outside life, subject to the biological law: having 8 or 10 children to keep 3 or 4 alive... Which human being in such environment could find the time and means to develop a gift or devote to any art? Especially when no society encouraged it, or even tolerated it. Until this last Cy, universities were closed to wmn, Art Academies, Professional training also. And for once, scientists, lawyers and the church agreed: intellectual activity wld be detrimental for girls. Their brains wouldn't take it and they would lose, not only their balance, but their gracefulness, their sensibility, their feminity.

Can one imagine scientists warning young boys that if they studied literature for instance, they would lose their manliness?

The few women who had enough boldness to infringe the law paid a very heavy price and spent most of their energy fighting against the obstacles.