Gender Poll - 2009

[Bemk]

I'm male (and about to check it in the bathroom).

[dalinux_n00bie]

WOW! 2 FEMALES!! thats like.... wow

[b2bwild]

Im a man...or boy..but male.

[Bemk]

WOW! 2 FEMALES!! thats like.... wow

Indeed wow, I expected it to be more, but I guess most females haven't found out that the computer is a nice thing to use for things that aren't called MSN, Hyves (or Facebook, or something like that, Hyves = Dutch, really popular here) or essays.

Of the twenty folks in my IT class there are actually 3 girls, that's 15%. I say: "Girls, start learning about this machine called computer, it can do more than you think it can!"

[MikeTbob]

Indeed wow, I expected it to be more, but I guess most females haven't found out that the computer is a nice thing to use for things that aren't called MSN, Hyves (or Facebook, or something like that, Hyves = Dutch, really popular here) or essays.

Of the twenty folks in my IT class there are actually 3 girls, that's 15%. I say: "Girls, start learning about this machine called computer, it can do more than you think it can!"

We might only have two replies, claiming to be female, but I am almost positive there are actually more than you think.

[Bemk]

I know there are more out there, but they can let us know and show to other females that the world of the computer isn't only for men any more. I see girls around me who are clever enough to work with GNU/Linux after a couple of weeks of training. The only thing is they don't seem to care. Now why is that?

[Lakshmipathi]

Male ....We have 2 girls thats good ...In my 3 years of Industrial experience i never met any girl interested in linux....

[MikeTbob]

I know there are more out there, but they can let us know and show to other females that the world of the computer isn't only for men any more. I see girls around me who are clever enough to work with GNU/Linux after a couple of weeks of training. The only thing is they don't seem to care. Now why is that?

Probably for the same reason you don't see many female auto mechanics, sure it's sexy as hell, but it just doesn't appeal to females all that much.

[Bemk]

Probably for the same reason you don't see many female auto mechanics, sure it's sexy as hell, but it just doesn't appeal to females all that much.

Now why doesn't it appeal? Is it because it's still a men's world or is it something in the x chromosome?

Females can have the same interests as males do, and vice versa. That doesn't mean that I played with dolls, but I know some boys who did, and it doesn't mean that my little sister played with lego all day, but there are girls that did.

In the modern west the only difference between male and female is that there are differences in the body, but both male and female can do a certain job as well as the other gender. There are some areas where females have yet to be emancipated and I hope they will do so soon, but I thought at least the modern west would make a difference in this poll.

I actually think that in my IT class there should be more females. But is it something in the double X chromosome or is it just that females aren't emancipated enough on certain areas?

[questio verum]

Now why doesn't it appeal? Is it because it's still a men's world or is it something in the x chromosome?

Females can have the same interests as males do, and vice versa. That doesn't mean that I played with dolls, but I know some boys who did, and it doesn't mean that my little sister played with lego all day, but there are girls that did.

In the modern west the only difference between male and female is that there are differences in the body, but both male and female can do a certain job as well as the other gender. There are some areas where females have yet to be emancipated and I hope they will do so soon, but I thought at least the modern west would make a difference in this poll.

I actually think that in my IT class there should be more females. But is it something in the double X chromosome or is it just that females aren't emancipated enough on certain areas?

Curious that you would pose such a question. I would think it obvious. Just the same, I would also like to hear a female's point of view. I think it would be refreshing. But then... I don't begrudge anyone their wish to remain silent.

I would assert that the true answer is not as simple as one factor, but multiple. Certainly, cultural bias plays a large part. Biology too, not just in the obvious chromasomal and anatomical differences, but also in the vagaries of the human endocrine, brain, and central nervous systems. The irrational behaviours these factors give birth to -in both sexes... Societal and familial pressures... Peer group pressure... The politics of sex and power... Decisions based on economy or convenience... The list can go on. I could persue this discussion further, but I don't want to start down a path that results in a threadlock. Suffice it to say that regardless of what may attract male to female initially, a cultured and stimulating mind is the one thing that will remain over the years. Whether that mind is attracted to the inner workings of Linux, the arcane formulae and concepts of astrophysics, or the structure of 18th century literature is of no permanent consequence to me. That it is a vibrant, inquisitive, and fertile mind is what I find most important. Anything that can foster the development of such a mind, is a desirable thing in my book..

qv