In most cases, it's probably not gender bias so much as it is "generation bias" - and let's face it, there *is* a generation gap in (to use a broad and untechnical term) computers, so it's not a bias at all by definition. There's also a generation gap in many areas ranging from quantum mechanics to cuisine. That doesn't make it a gender-based consideration. It's a natural division.
That being said, gender can be a factor in this "stereotype", dare I legitimize it by using that term. What gender is mostly represented in computing, anyway? If more moms (that is, females) were so inclined to enter the field, you'd see the mom-test, as you call it, disappear because it would be meaningless. The overwhelming presence of males in the field does suggest that it is inherently more attractive to them than females. The reasons can be debated, but the fact remains, as with the generation gap mentioned above, that it's a natural division. So, a "dad-test" for computing would be absurd from the perspective of gender.
The article is well-written, but it's unfortunate that even in the geek field we can't escape the wrong ideas currently in vogue that everyone has a right to not be offended and that genders should be equally represented in all areas of society. As offensive an idea as it may be to some, men and women are different (thankfully). Let's enjoy it rather than force the world to be unisex.
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Not gender bias
Posted by: tomws on September 08, 2007 04:14 PMThat being said, gender can be a factor in this "stereotype", dare I legitimize it by using that term. What gender is mostly represented in computing, anyway? If more moms (that is, females) were so inclined to enter the field, you'd see the mom-test, as you call it, disappear because it would be meaningless. The overwhelming presence of males in the field does suggest that it is inherently more attractive to them than females. The reasons can be debated, but the fact remains, as with the generation gap mentioned above, that it's a natural division. So, a "dad-test" for computing would be absurd from the perspective of gender.
The article is well-written, but it's unfortunate that even in the geek field we can't escape the wrong ideas currently in vogue that everyone has a right to not be offended and that genders should be equally represented in all areas of society. As offensive an idea as it may be to some, men and women are different (thankfully). Let's enjoy it rather than force the world to be unisex.
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