There's no good evidence of innate (environment-independent) gender differences in math ability, but cartoons can carry the argument anyway. Interesting.

To end the thread on a more scientifically useful note, I just saw a presentation by Eric Mazur the physics professor who found that there was a small "gender gap" in the performance of his female students, but that gap disappeared when a different teaching method was used. When cooperative peer learning was used, it turned out that the women did just as well as the men. Perhaps they found a peer-instruction environment more accessible and less intimidating than the "lecture by male professor" model, I don't know. But it's a pretty clear example of an environmental control that allowed women to reach the same potential for achievement as men. I say "male professor" because Mazur found little gender gap in places where female professors are common. The results are based on his own experiences, but it's real data anyway.