[clug] Open Source Software's Dirty Little Secret

[steve jenkin]

Jessica Fryer wrote on 10/9/09 4:55 PM:
> I wonder if any of the men would like to volunteer what they think would be
> the advantages of having women more involved in Linux and the Open Source
> community.  What would you like us to contribute? What do you think you are
> missing?
> 
> I have some of my own ideas about why I am personally reluctant to get
> involved but I'd appreciate your thoughts while mine settle into something
> more coherent than the angry rant I've been drafting since I saw Lana's
> message.

Side Issues, not answering your question.
(which I read as: Suggest specific areas or actions for Women-in-FOSS)

The central problem of defining targets or quotas is enforcement &
compliance.

In the employment marketplace, state & federal laws can be made and
bodies setup to enforce them.

But in voluntary organisations? People join because they want to.
Legislation to direct it can only be very broad, like the
anti-discrimination act.

Like Gymns.
Fernwood does very well offering an 'all women' environment, because
women aren't put off...
[Please tell me why that doesn't fail the anti-discrimination test, when
Men Only Clubs get pilloried]

There are some disturbing societal trends that don't get reported or
discussed, and the only reason I can think of is because it isn't seen
as politically correct.

 - Nursing maintains it female-discipline-dominance
 - Teaching, especially the lower grades has gone from
   male dominated to female dominated, even exclusivity
   for some areas.

But we see no 'positive discrimination' programs, despite some media
reports I found disturbing: there are boys of single mums who have no
male role models in their lives. The only adults they interact with are
female.

Women still don't flock to Mining or the Military.
Is it because of the inherent risk or the blokiness??



Summary:
It's a crazy world and I don't understand the trends or apparent
contradictions.



I would like the world (and FOSS) to be better.
But I don't understand the drivers & blocks to many things - including
gender-equity.
Without that understanding, I can't offer useful insight or suggestion.

Sigh....
The Human Race and our Societies just keep muddling through.

s


-- 
Steve Jenkin, Info Tech, Systems and Design Specialist.
0412 786 915 (+61 412 786 915)
PO Box 48, Kippax ACT 2615, AUSTRALIA

sjenkin at canb.auug.org.au http://members.tip.net.au/~sjenkin