It's all those mad multitasking skillz

[misstopia]

When computers were first invented they were conceived of as something for women (the secretaries and phone operators of the office) to work with ...

Comments

[fallingtowers]

Another case in point: secretaries. It's always the same old shit.

[regendy]

This is really interesting and really infuriating all at once. That comment nailed it, I think.

(Vaguely related tangent: You know what I've always wondered about? The arts. With the exception of playing instruments, which is a manly thing to do because you can form a band with your dudebros, creative/artistic pursuits are considered more feminine. So at my high school, it was three girls for every guy in choir, advanced literature courses, or the acting side of theatre. And yet professionally, writing is still male-dominated and there are WAY more male theatrical roles out there even if you don't count stuff written when female actors weren't allowed. How does this persist? THIS BOTHERED MY HIGH SCHOOL SELF AND IT BOTHERS ME STILL.)

[chacusha]

Regarding your tangent: THIS BOTHERS ME A LOT TOO. It's so discouraging -- it's like... there's this huge pool of female talent, all these women who love and practice the art just as much as anyone else, but the ones who get all the elite recognition are male. It's like basically saying, "Oh yeah, you can practice an art if that's what you're interested in, but you'll never make it as a 'great'."

[chacusha]

Wow, yeah, it sounds pretty similar to, "It's so easy, a woman could do it!" :| DNW.

I do think the increase in status of programming positions was maybe a separate development from the increase in male dominance in the field, but since they're coupled now, I think it doesn't matter -- the correlation is there and will just lead to more of the "high status/high-paying/difficult jobs = for MEN" mindset. :/

I do like the interview that was linked on that post -- what the intern said about women in general being turned off by companies/programs that advertise themselves as highly competitive rings true for me. Not just because women are naturally cooperative or whatever, but as a woman in a very male field, cooperation is necessary for survival. One woman competing against her peers feels much less secure in her job/job opportunities, I think.

[ms_geekette]

Damn right computers are for the ladies!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper

(Me on the other hand...the dudes can have the programming for all I care. Never liked it, never will, I think. I enjoy a different sort of tedious busy-work.)

ETA: Eeee, just now noticed that the quote you included was from Grace.

[kitrinlu]

This is so rage-inducing. Not only that, but these are grown women being referred to as 'girls' - bleh :|

As for the SocImages comment: women cook, but men are chefs >:(