Sexism in Technology

MsDemeanor · 12-15-2009, 08:01 PM

Why is that so often when we talk about things like violence against women, someone says "you know, it happens to men once in a while too", and we find ourselves on the defensive? It's not prevalent, it's not widely accepted by society, and it's not a valid argument. I say enough of that bullshit!

Waldo · 12-15-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

Why is that so often when we talk about things like violence against women, someone says "you know, it happens to men once in a while too", and we find ourselves on the defensive? It's not prevalent, it's not widely accepted by society, and it's not a valid argument. I say enough of that bullshit!

The answer is simple, really. It's not pleasant but it's simple.

Arwen · 12-15-2009, 10:02 PM

Okay, so I looked at those ads. Some of them are violent. Others are just more objectification of women. The border patrol one is horrific. That's not violence against men. That's the sexy female cop with her bra showing and her panties "just there". http://www.genderads.com/Vio._Ag._Males.html#24 is another one that is a man hitting his shadow or a woman's shadow. How is that violence against a man?

The fact remains that those in power really can not be lessened or controlled by those images.

Women are used as bait in advertising. A good marketing campaign can create a sexual response in a non-sexual item such as a car or a powertool. Throw a bikini-clad babe at it and you have an attention-getter.

Honestly, if I were male, I'd be insulted that my libido was thought to be the only thing that drives me.

Kellie, I had many of those calls where they thought I was the RECEPTIONIST! Grrrrr. Made me want to break their computer rather than fix it.

Waldo · 12-17-2009, 12:46 PM

This morning I was reminded about the woman who hired me into the company I now run. Anyone ever experience this?

Woman hires me and when I actually do great she moves from supportive and encouraging to hostile and undermining - eventually to the point of screaming at me and blaming me for her poor decisions in front of not just staff, but also customers.

Why is it that some women see other driven and successful women as such threats?

RNguy · 12-26-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldo

This morning I was reminded about the woman who hired me into the company I now run. Anyone ever experience this?

Woman hires me and when I actually do great she moves from supportive and encouraging to hostile and undermining - eventually to the point of screaming at me and blaming me for her poor decisions in front of not just staff, but also customers.

Why is it that some women see other driven and successful women as such threats?

Wow, friend, I'm so sorry to hear that occurred. To pull someone in private and have a professional conversation is one thing, but to do so in front of coworkers, and customers even is just absolutely over the top wrong and the lowest you can take things.
That makes her look like a complete fool! If I were a customer and witnessed something such as that, I would feel so bad, and let her know I would not take my business there at all.
I feel so sad and sorry you had to go through that.
Do you ever feel that the good employees get all the crap, and the employees who are lazy and call off all the time get rewarded?
I just don't get how and why things occur at all. Makes no sence to me.
Sorry to hear that again, keep your head up my friend.

-RNguy

Medusa · 01-13-2010, 01:29 AM

An interesting article:

http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article448.html

Daryn · 01-18-2010, 09:16 AM

I've worked in IT for a very long time and my job titles and duties have changed over the years. In the 70s, overt sexism was rampant. Vendor support personnel would address me as honey, little lady, sweetheart, missy, darling, etc. and doubt my technical aptitude at every turn. I worked for IBM for awhile and my basic training included being taught to accept full on harrassment. It was expected. Times have changed on that front. And I think women are more accepted in the industry. However, mostly I still don't see them in the senior most positions.

As for Medusa's initial comment about communications, I'd say that if a woman has a very direct communication style that is seen as masculine and usually not acceptable. Years ago, I had worked about a 12 hour day on a stressful project (it was day 3 of this) and I was handling 2 really critical issues. A woman came with a minor issue and I told her she'd have to wait until the other problems were solved. She complained to my (female) boss and I got disciplined. My immediate response was to ask if one of my male co-workers (used his name) would be getting talked to if he'd done the same thing (and he would have) and I was told I was not him. I have issues about being too direct in communications than almost anything else.

12-15-2009, 10:02 PM	#3
Arwen Joy Seeker How Do You Identify?: Smartly-Flavored Preferred Pronoun?: Goddess Relationship Status: Mrs. Syzygy 1/9/14 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Joyville, NM (aka Land of Enchantment) Posts: 10,140 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,636 Thanked 28,119 Times in 6,414 Posts Rep Power: 21474862	Okay, so I looked at those ads. Some of them are violent. Others are just more objectification of women. The border patrol one is horrific. That's not violence against men. That's the sexy female cop with her bra showing and her panties "just there". http://www.genderads.com/Vio._Ag._Males.html#24 is another one that is a man hitting his shadow or a woman's shadow. How is that violence against a man? The fact remains that those in power really can not be lessened or controlled by those images. Women are used as bait in advertising. A good marketing campaign can create a sexual response in a non-sexual item such as a car or a powertool. Throw a bikini-clad babe at it and you have an attention-getter. Honestly, if I were male, I'd be insulted that my libido was thought to be the only thing that drives me. Kellie, I had many of those calls where they thought I was the RECEPTIONIST! Grrrrr. Made me want to break their computer rather than fix it. __________________ I wrote a book, y'all! *FREE* Tarotscopes Seek Joy, y'all. Eschew hate. 9Words: A Poetry Challenge \| Do you like me?

12-17-2009, 12:46 PM	#4
Waldo Member How Do You Identify?: Special Snowflake Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wine Country, Oregon Posts: 470 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 22 Thanked 792 Times in 238 Posts Rep Power: 1006288	This morning I was reminded about the woman who hired me into the company I now run. Anyone ever experience this? Woman hires me and when I actually do great she moves from supportive and encouraging to hostile and undermining - eventually to the point of screaming at me and blaming me for her poor decisions in front of not just staff, but also customers. Why is it that some women see other driven and successful women as such threats? __________________ Perved lately? \| My website \| NEW: lez.org

01-13-2010, 01:29 AM	#6
Medusa Mentally Delicious How Do You Identify?: Queer High Femme, thank you very much Preferred Pronoun?: Mme. Relationship Status: Married to JD. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,446 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,995 Thanked 42,692 Times in 7,831 Posts Rep Power: 10000026	An interesting article: http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article448.html __________________ . . . Buy ButchFemmePlanet Merch Here: https://teespring.com/stores/butchfemmeplanetcom-merch

12-15-2009, 08:01 PM	#1
MsDemeanor Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme Relationship Status: Happily married to MisterMeanor, the man of my dreams Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 703 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 165 Thanked 1,852 Times in 511 Posts Rep Power: 2698180	Why is that so often when we talk about things like violence against women, someone says "you know, it happens to men once in a while too", and we find ourselves on the defensive? It's not prevalent, it's not widely accepted by society, and it's not a valid argument. I say enough of that bullshit!

01-18-2010, 09:16 AM	#7
Daryn Timed Out How Do You Identify?: genderqueer leaning male Preferred Pronoun?: he/ze Relationship Status: open to persuasion..... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: OR Posts: 185 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 209 Thanked 281 Times in 81 Posts Rep Power: 0	I've worked in IT for a very long time and my job titles and duties have changed over the years. In the 70s, overt sexism was rampant. Vendor support personnel would address me as honey, little lady, sweetheart, missy, darling, etc. and doubt my technical aptitude at every turn. I worked for IBM for awhile and my basic training included being taught to accept full on harrassment. It was expected. Times have changed on that front. And I think women are more accepted in the industry. However, mostly I still don't see them in the senior most positions. As for Medusa's initial comment about communications, I'd say that if a woman has a very direct communication style that is seen as masculine and usually not acceptable. Years ago, I had worked about a 12 hour day on a stressful project (it was day 3 of this) and I was handling 2 really critical issues. A woman came with a minor issue and I told her she'd have to wait until the other problems were solved. She complained to my (female) boss and I got disciplined. My immediate response was to ask if one of my male co-workers (used his name) would be getting talked to if he'd done the same thing (and he would have) and I was told I was not him. I have issues about being too direct in communications than almost anything else.