The woman at the wheel
The history of relationships between women and the car started in 1888 and is linked with the name of Bertha Benz, the wife of Karl Benz, the inventor of the first truly self-propelled petrol carriage, patented two years earlier. Together with their sons Frau Bertha committed first trip to the town of Pforzheim, breaking the 180 km. They made it smuggled from Karl Benz, which by then had already doubted the commercial perspective for his invention. Imperfect first car made the trip very difficult. For example, ascents could be overcome only with the physical effort of passengers, and gasoline stocks had to be replenished very often, buying countless bubbles of gasoline, which was sold at the chemists' at that time. However the goal was reached: thus Frau Benz proved that her husband's invention was not a useless technical extravagance but the beginning of a new era of cars.
At the end of XIX - early XX century, women have actively participated in the development of this miracle technology, took part in competitions and Motor rally, but, of course, they were not numerous. The attitude of contemporaries to these brave ladies was very watchful: it was considered that only absolutely emancipated and eccentric lady could sit at the wheel.
Today the woman at the wheel doesn't surprise anybody.
Is it a topical issue of women at the wheel? The problem exists and it is very popular belief in the existence of the so-called "women's driving style", which can be characterized as follows:
1. Female drivers have a over-caution, which leads to "stupid", "sluggish" style of driving, hard landing at the. Prudence is connected with fear and lack of self-confidence, and cause of it in her biological features: a woman as a real or a potential mother and bears the dual responsibility that prompts her to heightened vigilance. Drivers who commit errors in advance often identified as women.
2. Female drivers stick a special "female" sign on the rear glass (high heel or female profile). Signs of this kind serve to appeal to other male traffic participants to be vigilant to the driver of the car. Most drivers prefer to keep the maximum safe distance from such a "female" car. Besides, it is read as a manifestation of the desire for manifestation of "gentlemen" qualities of the male drivers, it is often confirmed by the inscription: "Respect me!".
3. In the specialized automotive magazines articles for women are allocated in a separate heading: "Ladies' Club". These sections are usually written in a very playful tone that could be attributed to the specific style of a magazine, but some recommendations are of blatantly ironic nature.
4. One of the main features of "women's style" is considered a technical ignorance of women. It is believed that women have no idea of the most elementary principles of the car construction and are totally helpless in dealing with the most basic technical issues.
5. The inability to read the map and poor orientation on the ground is also considered to be a female feature. There is a very interesting explanation for this phenomenon. Long ago a man-hunter needed a good spatial orientation, while the woman didn't need it.
6. The existence of "female driving style" is enshrined in many expressions. Jokes about the woman at the wheel are also popular, where she is represented as an extremely poor driver.
Thus, a man and a woman at the wheel are seen differently. The problem is very relevant and requires the most careful psychological and sociological reflection.
