Hi, Jenny,
> So, I came as a way to see (with my very own eyes) that the
> stereotype was wrong. And thus, to gain more confidence in my
> own skills and overcome some of the conditioning.
>
> To that extent, it's been somewhat helpful, but not as much as
> I expected. Mainly, I think, it's because I see women asking
> questions and guys answering... and they're still the experts...
I saved this message for a few days and watched the very, very active
techtalk list to see if it was true. I mean, like, your post bothered
me, not because of what you said, but because I thought we had come
further than that. After watching for a week or so I see lots of guys
asking questions too, and lots of women answering them. I haven't done
a count or anything, and perhaps guys do answer more questions, but not
by any sort of large margin like you suggest.
So... I don't think your conclusions are quite right.
> I just
> wish there were more outspoken women! :) I'm not in much of
> a position to contribute though, as I'm still a beginniner with
> linux myself; my talents are in programming.
I think men are more outspoken by nature, but on the techtalk list there
are plenty of women willing to jump in and help out. I don't too often
simply because, either 1) it's a question about something (or a
distro) I don't have expertise in, or 2) I could have answered but
somebody beat me to it. No sense in repeating, right?
I've been in the industry for 21 (yikes!) years, and two decades ago
women had to fight to be heard and respected. There weren't many of us
in technical positions at all, and the institutionalized sexism was
really, really there. It has gotten much, much better. If there is
anything I've learned in those years, though, it's how much
I *don't* know. I don't think that is a lack of confidence or
outspokenness.
I can be pretty aggressive if I *must* get my point across. I just
don't often see the need to be seen as an expert or a guru or as someone
who always jumps in here. I help when I can, ask when I need help, and
mostly read and learn. Does that make me less expert than some of the
outspoken guys? Hmmm... I don't think so, and neither do the people
I work with.
I think there are a lot of experienced, highly qualified, bright,
technical women on the lists. We just don't always jump up and down and
shout, is all :)
Best,
Caity
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