On Thu, Mar 04, 2004 at 03:41:10PM +0100, Michael Banck wrote: > On Thu, Mar 04, 2004 at 12:24:14AM +0000, Helen Faulkner wrote: > > Note that this situation existing doesn't mean that there necessarily are > > hostile/scary/condescending guys about, and it isn't the fault of > > anyone in particular. Blame it on our societies, if you like, or on our > > biology, or whatever theory you subscribe to :) But the situation existing > > does > > mean that if people want to do something about it, saying "well I treat > > everyone > > the same" may not mean very much, because you are treating everyone the > > same in > > a situation that inherently, for reasons beyond your control, favours one > > group > > of people (men) over another group (women). In that situation, if you want > > things to change, you may have to consider altering your tactics somewhat. > > I > > suggest that being aware that the problem exists is a good start :) > > +5, Insightful.
insightful, except for one important detail. the situation does not discriminate against women, in particular, it discriminates against a particular personality trait - meekness. meekness is found in both men and women, and meek men are discouraged from participating in debian (and other groups) just as much as women are. men suffer from meekness and have to go through all the stress and trauma of overcoming it, just as women do. i think one of the major difference in responses to meekness is that men are taught that being meek is 'wrong' for them, while women are taught that being meek is 'proper' - so men are more likely to fight it directly when they see it in themselves because it makes them feel ashamed and inadequate. craig ps: dunno about you, but i don't find meekness to be an appealing trait in anyone and rather than encourage and foster it, i'd rather encourage people to overcome it. there is a time and a place for a group to be especially welcoming and friendly, and there is also a time and place for recognising the nature of an environment and understanding that if you want to partcipate you're going to have to dive in.....
