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Its nice that author ended up going to engineering school via massive social and economic inertia afforded only to a tiny sliver of indian population. But there

Its nice that author ended up going to engineering school via massive social and economic inertia afforded only to a tiny sliver of indian population. But there are lot more women who need the helping hand and encouragement provided by those groups. So perhaps a little empathy towards those programs and what they are trying to achieve, even if it causes minor distress?

calvinbhai 9y ago
I know many women/engineers from/in India who have braved worse situations to become engineers, because that often is the only hope for anyone irrespective of their gender, to gain a good career and escape from poverty or move up the wealth ladder. Not sure of the author's family background, but either way, its not trivial for women in India to escape the social pressure (of getting married earlier than men) even if parents are supportive. From my Indian POV, it feels a little frustrating to see that there's so much focus on getting women into tech after they are out of college or mid career, than focusing on it when they are in middle/high school. As you said, "helping hand and encouragement provided by those groups" is needed, but it needs to focus disproportionately more on kids about to start middle school / high school than girls at any other age. It is too late to think of helping for a transition once a girl / woman is out of college.
telesilla 9y ago
I agree. She's a minority and the compassionate thing to do is say, hey don't bug me about it but feel free to use me as a role model so in X years we'll have 50% women in the role of your speciality and we can move on. I wouldn't force anyone to be a public figure but to disengage completely is denying there is an imbalance. Also, I bet as an Indian woman she's not going to deny there is a massive need for general improvement in health in safety? Maybe she's really lucky but I just read [1] this morning and was reminded that I, as a woman, don't feel safe alone in certain contexts in India. I can afford a private car and security but that certainly doesn't stop me wanting safety for everyone. What's she saying read to me like, "I'm from a supportive family and wealthy enough background to have made it, leave me alone in my bubble where everyone around me has everything we need" https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/11/a-woman-interviewed-100-convicted-rapists-in-india-this-is-what-she-learned/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/11...

calvinbhai 9y ago

I know many women/engineers from/in India who have braved worse situations to become engineers, because that often is the only hope for anyone irrespective of their gender, to gain a good career and escape from poverty or move up the wealth ladder. Not sure of the author's family background, but either way, its not trivial for women in India to escape the social pressure (of getting married earlier than men) even if parents are supportive. From my Indian POV, it feels a little frustrating to see that there's so much focus on getting women into tech after they are out of college or mid career, than focusing on it when they are in middle/high school. As you said, "helping hand and encouragement provided by those groups" is needed, but it needs to focus disproportionately more on kids about to start middle school / high school than girls at any other age. It is too late to think of helping for a transition once a girl / woman is out of college.

telesilla 9y ago

I agree. She's a minority and the compassionate thing to do is say, hey don't bug me about it but feel free to use me as a role model so in X years we'll have 50% women in the role of your speciality and we can move on. I wouldn't force anyone to be a public figure but to disengage completely is denying there is an imbalance. Also, I bet as an Indian woman she's not going to deny there is a massive need for general improvement in health in safety? Maybe she's really lucky but I just read [1] this morning and was reminded that I, as a woman, don't feel safe alone in certain contexts in India. I can afford a private car and security but that certainly doesn't stop me wanting safety for everyone. What's she saying read to me like, "I'm from a supportive family and wealthy enough background to have made it, leave me alone in my bubble where everyone around me has everything we need" https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/11/a-woman-interviewed-100-convicted-rapists-in-india-this-is-what-she-learned/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/11...