Also, you guys completely ignore that fact that thousands of Armenian men earn money outside the country. I would definitely call them “the capable part”.

Second, the men that work outside of Armenia do it because they do not have any other option. We have already seen that many men will go to Russia and leave thier family in Armenia. Some men end up having second families in Russia and many live a difficult life of traveling between jobs. These men, although important to send money back to Armenia are not helping to improve Armenia in the same way the young, forward thinking and educated young women can and are helping.

I would expect that you would agree that the world is moving to a knowledge economy. The Armenians for centuries have participated in a knowledge economy and this is partly why they have been able to survive as they have. However, with the Sovietisms still in strong grip of Armenia, the average male in rural Armenia holds little hope for a better future. He is unmotivated and resorts to going to Russia to do construction or be a taxi driver and he has a five year university degree. However, He is not dedicated to study and knowledge. The women are much more forward thinking.

I contend that the men in Russia although important for Armenia’s economy especially since the fall of the Soviet Union but they are not going to be the driving force to move Armenia forward in the years to come.

As far as the male population in villages is concerned … Economic crisis is always followed by stress for males. And Armenia is not an exception. If you review the American or European history after the Great Depression or the Second World War you will find that the situation was similar. Females are more capable in withsanding emotional hardships. This is not a secret and has been proved by science. If you talk with some educated Armenian men you will see that we know very well that Armenian women are very important for the future of Armenia.

Guys, I am sorry but I don’t think you are making your conclusions based on factual data but rather on subjective factors that come from you own experiences.

Myrthe, about how we cherish them … mmm I don’t think the Western vs. Eastern argument will work in this case. Armenian women have always had freedom to act according to their preferences for quite some time already. Their degree of freedom might not be similar to women in the U.S. per se, but I don’t see why it should be totaly similar. Also, I would argue that bacause of this, our women are more faminine than the women in the West.

By the way, Armen, do you have any factual data supporting your point of view? I think there is nothing wrong with Burnell and me basing our opinions on what we see around us and what we hear from people we talk with. After all, both he and I have spent considerable time in Armenia and outside of Yerevan in small towns and villages in the regions.

You are 100% right. I have no factual data. Factual data in rural Armenia is harder to find than the easter bunny. If you do not believe me, go to any RA Statistical Office and ask the rate of unemployment in any of the rural regions and then compare that with your nearest town center. I am not a social scientist and I do not proclaim to have the definitive answers. I am throwing you a bone for discussion and I like a little debate but in the end, yes my idea is subjective. I also love the fact you said I was wrong! That gives me faith and hope and I can only hope you live outside of Yerevan to spread your good vibes.

I will leave you with this story as it is the basis on which I make my argument. In one of the region universities in which I conduct trainings, I have 25 students evenly split between men and women. Today, I came to the training and I had 11 women ready to learn. Not one male was in the class. The men came some 20 minutes later. The marks showed that 7 women and only 2 men are receiving passing status.

If I did not speak the language and know the customs, I would agree I have no basis for comparison. However that is not the case. If I am given the choice, I will put much more effort into the young woman because it is she who will educate the next generation and instill the thirst for knowledge in the next generation of Armenians which will bring Armenia to her glory.

This has nothing to do with the independency of Armenian women. They have always had their degree of independency and they have been comfortable with that. As far as the villages are concerned … well, they are villages. Don’t tell me the village women in Europe or the U.S. are any more forward thinking. I have lived in the U.S. and I have met and talked with village women there. Most of them are VERY limited. Although they have independence but they have no idea what they can do with it other than opening a bank account. Village is village everywhere.

If you respect the fact that family plays more role here in Armenia, you should also respect the fact that this is the direct result of our women being more faminine and less independent than the women in the Western countries.

Surely, we are now in a very difficult economic situation and people have become different but during the Soviet period Armenian men where known all over the country for implementing everything their wives told them to do. I am sure, when the economy develops the situation is going to be the same.

As far as the factual data is concerned, I have spend longer time in Armenia than you guys and I definitely know better.

Burnell, no I live in Yerevan but I travel to the regions a lot. I just have one thing to tell you.
Investing in Armenian men has never had any worse results. We have achieved unbelivable results in everything we did, the last one was during the Turin Chess Olymipics. I wonder if your country has a chess team that has won the olympics? I highly doubt that. Also, if you go to your country (where are you from actually) and look around you will find that many Armenian men are wealthier than yourself. Be they the old generation or even the Soviet generation.

There is no need to accentuate women’s role. I mean what is your suggestion? Scholarships for girls and no scholarships for boys?

By the way, I really don’t see how wearing stiletto heels and tons of make has any direct relationship with being a good mother. I am pretty sure there is no relationship between the two How do you know women are comfortable with the degree of independency they have? Have you ever asked them? Because I know many women who would really want to be financially independent from their parents or husbands and who would like to be more independent from “what the neighbors think of them” (i.e. gossiping).

When I go to any town or village outside Yerevan, I always see very many men hanging around, smoking, playing nardi, gossiping, seemingly not doing anything, whereas I see very many the women walking around with big shopping bags or being busy around the house.

As for your last suggestion: scholarships should be given to those people who deserve them, who are talented enough and are willing to work hard enough to use the opportunity given to them. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that you will find out that more young women than young men will apply for them.

This is the last comment I will make in this thread.