Ask HN: Is the term 'software craftsman' sexist?

In engineering postings for our company, we currently use the position name 'software craftsman'. It is meant to describe the emphasis that we put on creating elegant software and honing our craft. We want to continue to focus on this, but we don't want to unwittingly be turning some people off with the title. Does it seem like a sexist title to you?

If someone doesn't want to work for your company because you used the word "craftsman" instead of "craftsperson", then it sounds like you just dodged a bullet. These types of people bring nothing of value to any community and are often more concerned with politics than actually creating something.

Anyone who gets offended at that title, you are moments away from another conflict with them.

Remember you want the builders, not the "we'll hold you to saying everything right"-ers.

It's tempting to suggest to use "crafter", but that term has its own connotations different from "craftsman/craftswoman/craftsperson". See http://www.potters.org/subject46874.htm for examples from 2001:

> [person #1:] I am uncomfortable with the word "crafter." I think it is used by people who do not know better in reference to anyone who practices any kind of craft. When we use the term "craftsman" or "craftsperson" we have a very definite concept in mind, and it is nothing like "crafter."

> [person #2:] Crafter, hmmmm. The image that comes to my mind is a person who makes toilet seat covers from little pieces of foam rubber and similar do-dads from the kits A.C. Moore and similar stores sell.

> [person #3:] I suspect that "crafter" is the newspaper's politically correct solution to the dilemma of the "man" in "craftsman". Kind of like "server" instead of "waitress/waiter". Unfortunately, the term "crafter" conjures up (in my mind) images of hot-gluing egg carton cut-outs together to form Christmas stars, and making poodles out of empty bread bags . . . you get the idea.

Several in that thread preferred instead to avoid the issue and use "artisan".

The Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craft concurs: "The traditional terms craftsman and craftswoman are nowadays often replaced by artisan and rarely by craftsperson (craftspeople)."

What you're [with kind hopefulness] trying to say:

  + Our company wants to hire an engineer.
  + Our company values craft.

Just say that.

"Craftsman" creates an impression about your company. That impression is a first impression among the talent pool. Whether it is sexist or not is irrelevant, it conveys self-absorbed tone deafness. That's why you're asking.

If the goal is to hire self-absorbed tone deaf staff, it's pitch perfect. To me, and I believe in the idea of craft, the choice of "craftsman" suggests a cluster of negative perceptions of the company:

  + true? == andmap complete_list_of_human_differences tone_deaf?

It also suggests a deprofessionalization of engineering. Engineering is a higher standard than craft. Professional progression is: craftsman -> engineer not the other way round.

Good luck.