As well as a woman

Why is it that the question about gender equality in the world outside of the home is so often expressed in terms of women being "as good as" men at various tasks?

Here is a series of questions that generally would be answered with either, "of course," or a resounding "yes."

Can a man raise children as well as a woman?
Can a man cook breakfast (or any meal) as well as a woman?
Can a man do laundry as well as a woman?
Can a man clean a bathroom as well as a woman?
Can a man bake bread as well as a woman?
Can a man garden as well as a woman?

You get the idea.

And now in more ambiguous territory:

Can a man keep track of household expenses as well as a woman?
Can a man read directions as well as a woman?
Can a man help kids with homework as well as a woman?
Can a man keep up correspondence as well as a woman?
Can a man keep track of children's schedules as well as a woman?

Can a man teach preschool as well as a woman?

These would also rank a "yes" in my book, as long as the man has the time, patience, and the interest.

But you never hear questions like this:

Can a man drive a car as well as a woman?
Can a man run a race as well as a woman?
Can a man manage his career as well as a woman can manage her career?
Can a man perform as well on a standardized test as a woman can?

Can a man perform surgery as well as a woman?
Can a man run a business as well as a woman?
Can a man prepare taxes as well as a woman?
Can a man do scientific research as well as a woman?
Can a man play piano as well as a woman?
Can a man teach piano as well as a woman?
Can a man write music as well as a woman?
Can a man play music as well as a woman?
Can a man paint and draw as well as a woman?
Can a man teach college as well as a woman?

Your answer for the above two lists might include reference to the fact that a particular man may or may not have the desire, training, intelligence/ability, or opportunities for study than a particular woman might have.

But if you reverse the gender order of the questions:

Can a woman drive a car as well as a man?
Can a woman run a race as well as a man?
Can a woman manage her career as well as a man can manage his career?
Can a woman perform as well on a standardized test as a man can?

Can a woman perform surgery as well as a man?
Can a woman run a business as well as a man?
Can a woman prepare taxes as well as a man?
Can a woman do scientific research as well as a man?
Can a woman play piano as well as a man?
Can a woman teach piano as well as a man?
Can a woman write music as well as a man?
Can a woman play music as well as a man?
Can a woman paint and draw as well as a man?
Can a woman teach college as well as a man?

your answer would be a resounding "yes."

Think about it.