Why do we let sexist creeps pervade the software industry?

Post by rokhayakebe » Thu, Jul 28, 2011, 3:43 PM UTC

solipsist wrote: post #47

switch wrote: post #33

Note: I really would like an answer for the first question. What's the reason that everyone seems obsessed over getting more women into programming? Why do people care so much about having lots of women work in the software industry? Seriously, there seems to be this desire to get women into programming. If women really were into programming they would get into it despite the 'sexist creeps'. It might surprise all th…

Perhaps women just don't want to get into computer science. And no amount of bending over backwards and trying to appeal to female programmers will get us to a situation of 50% female developers. Or perhaps they do want to get into computer science and there are a number of obstacles stopping them. Most people would agree with this. If you're going come up a controversial answer, you better have some solid evidence b…

Post by yummyfajitas » Thu, Jul 28, 2011, 3:44 PM UTC

wisty wrote: post #71

rimantas wrote: post #3

I am very curiuos, what will happen when even thinking about woman as sexually attractive will be a crime, let alone any chance of showing her that.

Here's a tip - most laws are reasonable. Besides, no-one is likely to accuse you of harassment unless they actually feel harassed, and want to really screw you over. Are we talking about a boss frequently asking an employee on a date, despite the power difference, and the employee saying no several times? A co-worker making crude and embarrassing remarks, using sleazy pick-up lines, pulling pranks, and other crap? Or…

Post by michaelchisari » Thu, Jul 28, 2011, 3:47 PM UTC

icebraining wrote: post #79

danso wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

...and the point is? a) Many of the leading abolitionists in America and Europe were white and b) if we're in agreeance that the majority of comsci professionals are men, and that comsci professionals make up much of HN, then it's not surprising that this discussion, or any discussion on HN, was initiated by a male.

The discussion wasn't started on HN, but on G+. But the point isn't that there's no discrimination, just that we're not necessarily having this discussion because " women are fighting to get more respect and representation in computer programming."

Post by rokhayakebe » Thu, Jul 28, 2011, 3:48 PM UTC

hackinthebochs wrote: post #57

Cherian_Abraham wrote: post #46

I met with a Director at a local consulting firm a couple of days ago and while discussing the growing mobile practice at his firm and talking of the team in charge of it, he referred to the lady who held the reins in growing the practice, and how effective she is and how hungry she is, in growing it. And then he made the comment that she being all that, is also "easy on the eyes". I flinched, but held my tongue and…

I don't see this as necessarily a problem. The fact is, men judge how women look and will comment on it when among other men; so do women . There's nothing inherently sexist about saying a woman is good looking. It was probably more his attempt to relate to you on a personal level.

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jul 28, 2011, 3:50 PM UTC

AndrewDucker wrote: post #75

hackinthebochs wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't see this as necessarily a problem. The fact is, men judge how women look and will comment on it when among other men; so do women . There's nothing inherently sexist about saying a woman is good looking. It was probably more his attempt to relate to you on a personal level.

Actually, I work with a load of men (and a chunk of women), and this kind of conversation never comes up in the office, because it is understood to be deeply inappropriate for a work environment.