I don't think there are two real strong reasons for wanting to see representative distribution in a profession: distributing power & vestiges. Power is the im

I don't think there are two real strong reasons for wanting to see representative distribution in a profession: distributing power & vestiges. Power is the important one. 1. Power - Near equal representation in some professions is more important that in others is because these are positions of power. Law, medicine, journalism, film etc. Are expressions and sources of power and status/ The central component of discrimination against woman or minorities was always disempowerment. Most things stem from that. Under representation in positions of power is a way that disempowerment is expressed. There's a self re-enforcing dynamic to these things. Under/over representation in certain professions also create and enforce the power dynamic. Women becoming lawyers, journalists & politicians was both a cause and an effect of a more equal distribution of power. This leaks into other areas. A housewife in a world of female ministers and lawyers is more powerful within her family. So, is programming a position of power? Does the profession have that kind of importance. In my opinion, it is. Technology is the agent of change in our times. Programming & engineering are the root and stem of technology. It's not a traditionally important profession, but I think it is one now. 2. Killing off vestiges of the old discriminatory world. A male dominant profession can be hard for women to penetrate just because of momentum. Take a simple example from the list of female dominated professions: maternity nursing or child care. Maternity leave, career breaks & part time are probably more common and therefore tolerated in these fields than in construction or truck driving. OTOH, many variants of political correctness are awful and dehumanizing. Sometimes they're a price we need to pay for just social change, but IMO it is a price. (3)If you see bad behavior from other men, speak up. (4)Don't attempt romantic relationships. (5) No drinking This is one of the things which leads to (and has led to) a neutered, reserved and false work culture. It encourages trolls who find ways to misinterpret intentions and "take offense." It creates this dualism where people must discipline their work avatar. I don't want to single out female inclusions. This is a complicated issue and I don't have all my thoughts on it straight. There are a lot of casualties in honesty. Part of this forced reservedness is just the need to be diplomatic and reserved in general. For me, this falseness of the "corporate me" people play is what makes work unpleasant. So, when I here someone cheerfully suggest some simple rules like Jeff has, I see a cost.