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That's backwards. We got rid of the gender bias. Very long ago, computer programming was seen as being like typing and/or secretarial work. It was seen as bein

by tropo 10y ago

That's backwards. We got rid of the gender bias. Very long ago, computer programming was seen as being like typing and/or secretarial work. It was seen as being unmanly. Compare with nursing and kindergarten teaching. A woman might get assigned to invent COBOL instead of being in charge of an aircraft carrier. Well, we got rid of the sexism. Happy now? Hmmm, guess not.

TheSpiceIsLife 10y ago
Your comment amused me a bit, so I wanted to write something in response. I work in metal fabrication, our workshop specialises in structural steel, so we are part of the general construction industry. We call ourselves 'boilermakers', though I've never worked on a boiler. Anyway, in the 17 years I've been doing this on and off, I have met precisely 1 female boilermaker. And nobody cares. What I don't follow is why is gender imbalance in other industries seen as a problem but we never see any serious attempt to get more women in to the construction industry. Why does anyone care there are differences in numbers of men and women in various industries? Things change over time, fashions change. I think approaching these issues from the "we must correct this imbalance" is incorrect reasoning. And, lastly, if we do manage to level the playing field, what will gender identity become? A quote form the film Trainspotting: One thousand years from now, there will be no guys and no girls, just wankers. I'm willing to posit that strong gender roll identity is crucial for a healthy and resilient culture.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- Pyxl101 10y ago
  There aren't a lot of females in waste management either (i.e., garbage men). I've heard it can be a pretty well-paying job too. No one says that we need more women waste management workers, truck drivers, or coal miners.
- scotty79 10y ago
  I think it's mostly because if half of 'boiler makers' would start doing something else not many would care, but if half of the programmers would go work in nail saloons instead we'd be in much trouble. Software is eating the world, there's so much work to do, and a thought that anyone that could be a programmer isn't for some silly reason, is very unpleasent.

by tropo 10y ago

TheSpiceIsLife 10y ago

Your comment amused me a bit, so I wanted to write something in response. I work in metal fabrication, our workshop specialises in structural steel, so we are part of the general construction industry. We call ourselves 'boilermakers', though I've never worked on a boiler. Anyway, in the 17 years I've been doing this on and off, I have met precisely 1 female boilermaker. And nobody cares. What I don't follow is why is gender imbalance in other industries seen as a problem but we never see any serious attempt to get more women in to the construction industry. Why does anyone care there are differences in numbers of men and women in various industries? Things change over time, fashions change. I think approaching these issues from the "we must correct this imbalance" is incorrect reasoning. And, lastly, if we do manage to level the playing field, what will gender identity become? A quote form the film Trainspotting: One thousand years from now, there will be no guys and no girls, just wankers. I'm willing to posit that strong gender roll identity is crucial for a healthy and resilient culture.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
Pyxl101 10y ago
There aren't a lot of females in waste management either (i.e., garbage men). I've heard it can be a pretty well-paying job too. No one says that we need more women waste management workers, truck drivers, or coal miners.
scotty79 10y ago
I think it's mostly because if half of 'boiler makers' would start doing something else not many would care, but if half of the programmers would go work in nail saloons instead we'd be in much trouble. Software is eating the world, there's so much work to do, and a thought that anyone that could be a programmer isn't for some silly reason, is very unpleasent.