Do Women Think? When Degrees Can't Cure Ignorance

Dear Critical Minds,

Welcome back to our ongoing battle against the absurdity that masquerades as "educated thought" in our society.

This week, I want us to delve into a question so ridiculous, so profoundly stupid, that I almost convinced myself it didn't deserve a response. Almost. But then I remembered: one of the core purposes of this platform is to respond to the absurdity of the society within which we find ourselves. And boy, did absurdity come knocking.

The Question That Broke My Brain

Last December, I made a WhatsApp status post. Innocent enough, right? Wrong. A young man, born and raised by a woman, mind you, slid into my DMs with a question that has haunted me ever since:

"Do women think?"

Let that marinate for a moment.

This wasn't some random troll from the dark corners of the internet. This was a degree holder. A suit-and-tie-wearing, public-university-educated gentleman who looks intelligent and well-composed from the outside. He was taught by accomplished female academics at one of Ghana's well-known universities. Women who, presumably, used their thinking brains to grade his papers and sign off on his degree.

The irony is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

In my confusion and sheer disbelief, I couldn't provide an answer at the time. So here it is, my answer to him and his like-minded equals who apparently slept through every class taught by a woman and learned nothing from the woman who raised them.

Buckle up. This is going to be educational.

What Science Actually Says (For Those Who Care About Facts)

Let's start with a history lesson, shall we?

From Aristotle to 19th-century scientists, there's been no shortage of people claiming women were intellectually inferior. Their evidence? Flawed methodologies like measuring brain size while conveniently ignoring every other variable that matters. These pseudoscientific claims weren't just wrong, they were weaponised to exclude women from education and professions, providing a convenient justification for patriarchy disguised as "legitimate science." What this historical perspective really shows us is how cultural bias corrupts scientific inquiry when researchers lack reflexivity. Or, to put it more bluntly: if you already believe women are inferior, you'll design studies that "prove" it. Confirmation bias dressed up in a lab coat.

But here's what modern, rigorous science actually tells us:

Scientific evidence unequivocally confirms that both males and females possess equal cognitive abilities. We're talking abstract reasoning, problem-solving, creativity, learning, memory, and critical thinking, all equal across genders. Neuroimaging studies show comparable brain function in both sexes, thoroughly debunking historical attempts to create societal biases based on supposed biological realities. Now, to be fair, some research does identify small statistical differences in certain cognitive tasks. Men average slightly better on mental rotation tasks; women on verbal fluency. But here's the kicker: these differences are minor compared to the variation within each gender. Translation? Individual differences matter far more than gender-based patterns. The overlap is nearly complete.

So no, women aren't some mysterious species with question marks where their brains should be. Shocking, I know.

The Maternal Intelligence Myth (And Reality)

Since we're on the topic, let's address that popular theory about children inheriting intelligence primarily from their mothers, you know, the one that gets shared on social media with captions like "Science says your mom made you smart!" The theory hinges on the X chromosome, which houses a high concentration of genes needed for cognitive function. Sons receive their X chromosome from their mothers, so naturally, people concluded: intelligence comes from mom!

Except... it's not that simple.

Intelligence is complex and polygenic, shaped by thousands of genes across all chromosomes from both parents, plus environmental factors like nutrition, education, stimulation, and socioeconomic status. The "maternal intelligence" theory oversimplifies this intricate gene-environment interaction into a neat little package that ignores reality. That said, the role mothers play in child development cannot be overemphasised, not because of some chromosome, but because of what they do.

African Women: Changing the World's Narrative

Now, let me introduce you to some women who apparently didn't get the memo that they're not supposed to think. Spoiler alert: they've been too busy changing the world to check their messages.

Inventors with Global Impact

Let's start with innovation, shall we?

Dr Francisca Nneka Okeke (Nigeria) - Physicist developing innovations in renewable energy and space physics, contributing to satellite technology and atmospheric research. You know, just casual brain work.
Dr Marian Ewurama Addy (Ghana) - Pharmacologist who developed anti-malarial drugs and herbal medicines now used internationally. Saving lives through chemistry, no big deal.
Dr Kah Walla (Cameroon) - Pioneered sustainable agricultural technologies and food-processing innovations. Feeding people requires thinking, apparently.
Dr Tebello Nyokong (South Africa/Lesotho) - Chemist who developed cancer treatment technologies using photodynamic therapy. Fighting cancer with science. But do women think? 🤔
Muthoni Drummer Queen (Kenya) - Invented unique sound engineering techniques and cultural preservation technologies. Innovation meets culture.
Veronica Bekoe (Ghana) - Invented Ghana's COVID-19 sample collection swab used globally. During a pandemic. While presumably not thinking.

Leading Multinational Businesses

But wait, there's more! Let's talk about women running entire corporations:

Folorunso Alakija (Nigeria) - Vice Chair of Famfa Oil, one of Africa's wealthiest businesswomen with global oil and fashion interests. Managing billions without a functioning brain is quite the feat.
The late Esther Ocloo (Ghana, 1919-2002) - Co-founded Women's World Banking and pioneered food processing businesses (Nkulenu). Built international financial institutions. Clearly wasn't thinking.
Patricia Obo-Nai (Ghana) - CEO of Vodafone Ghana, overseeing telecommunications serving millions. But sure, let's question if women think.
Divine Ndhlukula (Zimbabwe) - Founder of SECURICO, a leading security services company operating across multiple African countries. Protecting nations, no brain required?
Wendy Luhabe (South Africa) - Entrepreneur and investor in telecommunications, finance, and technology ventures across Africa. Investment decisions, apparently made by osmosis.

Leading Countries (The Ultimate "Do They Think?" Test)

And then we have women who've only gone and run entire countries:

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia) - Africa's first elected female head of state, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Led post-war reconstruction. Minor stuff.
Joyce Banda (Malawi) - President who led economic reforms and championed women's rights.
Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) - Current president navigating complex national and regional politics.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia) - First female president of Namibia and Africa's first elected female head of state through direct popular vote.
Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Ghana) - First female Vice President of Ghana, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, former Minister of Education. Triple threat of "thinking."

And because this isn't just an African phenomenon, let's not forget Angela Merkel, one of the best Chancellors to have ever led a country globally, known as one of the most influential leaders across Europe and the world. Sixteen years of leading Germany's economy and navigating global crises. All without thinking, if we're to believe our friend with the WhatsApp question.

Women Raising Children: The Heartbeat of Society

Now, let's talk about one of the most honourable, sacrificial, non-paying jobs in the world: childbirth and care. In Africa, women's role in childcare is often described as the "heartbeat of the household." But it goes far beyond biological care. Women are the primary architects of their children's social and emotional development, balancing traditional communal values with the demands of modern economic shifts.

Here's what the research actually shows:

An empowered woman is the single strongest predictor of a child's long-term success. Let that sink in.

Children of empowered mothers are:

Less likely to have suboptimal cognitive growth
More likely to develop resilience and strong decision-making skills, navigating scarce resources and complex social hierarchies with guidance from mothers
Better health outcomes through maternal knowledge of nutrition and early learning resources, reducing stunting
Better educational outcomes, with higher maternal empowerment fostering intergenerational transmission of resources and opportunities, increasing gender educational equality, with girls spending more time in school

Research across 26 African countries shows that women's empowerment significantly impacts early childhood development. For each standard deviation increase in mothers' social independence, the odds of children being on track in literacy-numeracy increase by 88%.

Eighty-eight percent. From mothers who, according to some, might not even think.

The Statistics Tell a Story

Let's talk numbers, because apparently, some people need receipts:

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest percentage of single mothers worldwide, at 32%
In South Africa, 40-50% of households are headed by single mothers
In Kenya, 25% of households are women-headed
Approximately 65-70% of single mothers work in the informal sector across Africa

These women are:

Primary caregivers
Economic providers
Educators and decision-makers
Community builders

All while earning 28% less than men and facing significantly higher unemployment rates. They're doing the impossible with fewer resources, less support, and apparently, according to some educated folks, without the ability to think.

The absurdity would be funny if it weren't so insulting.

The Uncomfortable Truth

African women have shaped global progress in science, business, arts, politics, and the very fabric of society. Their contributions range from life-saving inventions to leading multinational corporations, inspiring cultural movements, fighting for freedom and governance, and raising the next generation of world leaders.

They're doing all of this while some degree-holding gentleman in a suit questions whether they have functioning brains.

So Here's My Answer

Dear commentator, and anyone who shares your delusion:

Yes, women think.

They think while inventing COVID-19 testing swabs.
They think while running telecommunications companies.
They think while governing nations.
They think while negotiating peace treaties.
They think while developing cancer treatments.
They think while raising you.

They think circles around people who would dare ask such a question.

The real question isn't "Do women think?"

The real question is: Why don't you?

A Final Word

So the next time you feel like disrespecting women and spitting on their great contributions to humanity, remember the woman who birthed and raised you. Remember that disrespecting one woman is disrespecting all the women you claim to love. Education is supposed to lead to the total transformation of the mind. But if you've gone through university, earned your degree, put on your suit and tie, and still haven't emancipated yourself from patriarchal reasoning that questions women's basic cognitive abilities?

Then I'm sorry. Your education failed you. Or perhaps more accurately, you failed your education. Degrees, suits, and ties don't take away ignorance. Critical thinking does. Humility does. Respect does. Opening your eyes to the world around you and recognising the contributions of half the human population does.

What will it take for you to finally see it?

Until next time, critical minds. Keep thinking, especially those of you who apparently didn't know women could.

Do share your thoughts and comments with me.