in reply to Female Programmers-WOT

IMHO this apparent gender gap has less to with why there are so few female programmers than it does with asking why there are so many male programmers. If one looks at the type of men that are in this field the answer is obvious but not one the male ego wants to accept.

Examine the social role types in the male programming profession and simply note the types that are missing. How many 'macho' programmers are there? How many mechanically inclined males are there? How many Adonis's?

Females who lack these qualities have many socially acceptable options and avenues to control the way they choose to use their personalities and talents than males. Men without the above listed personas can achieve self-esteem, ego, and financial stability in this business, thus it only makes sense that this field is a magnet for males with intellectual talent and are competitively/socially gender challenged.

coreolyn - The truth may hurt but never overlook it's empowerment.

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Re: Re: Female Programmers-WOT
by Molt (Chaplain) on Apr 24, 2002 at 14:34 UTC

    I disagree with this, using the logic you applied that females don't come in computing because it's lacking 'macho males' you'd end up with the argument that males wouldn't come into computing as it's lacking females in general.

    Also, could you list the extra options females lacking those qualities have with allow them self-esteem, ego, and financial stability?

    Update: I now realise I did misunderstand a large part of your argument and I'm sorry about that. I'll reply with a more complete post tomorrow.

[reply]

      I don't quite follow how you extrapolate, you'd end up with the argument that males wouldn't come into computing as it's lacking females in general. Non machismo ridden males, (IMHO) enjoy the opportunity to express and develop their skill while not tied up in such a mono-brain cell environment. Having been a truck driver, a pipeliner, and an oil rigger in my past, I know this is definately true in my expirience.

      What I was attempting to point out was that women have more options. I guess, more specifically, I was referring to marriage and child rearing as avenues to feeling sucessful and thereby elevating self-esteem. As a male that never had a desire to be the 'provider' and yet has been essentially the sole provider for the last 20 years to a wife and 3 kids, probably a bit of my jealousy/angst underlies the argument, but I don't think that bias overrides the underlying opinion.

      coreolyn
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