Mind the Gap: On Gender And Technology

Liip Techday 2009Memi Beltrame: Mind the Gap - On Gender and Technology

Memi Beltrame

Mind the GapOn Gender and Technology

Liip techday, july 1st 2009


This talk points out social patterns based on gender, with a special focus on technology


What is Gender?


Is it just another word for sex?

Gender: Sex: F M


Sex Gender


Sex Gender

Biology Society


Gender is definded by the social patterns of the male/female

duality


These patterns in general stand for stereotypical roles


Gender Boundaries are fluid and in constant change, evolving in time,

culture or social environment


Gender operates on three levels:

Level 1: Identity


Level 1: Identity

● How I present myself● Words I choose & things I say● Things I wear, clothes, jewels● How I move and act● Stuff I like and use



Level 1: Identity

Level 2: Stuctures & Institutions



● Boy Scout/Girl Scout● Boy/Girl boarding Scools● Locker Rooms● Barber/Beauty Parlor



Level 1: Identity


Level 3: Symbolism & representation


Level 3: Symbolism & representation

● Images of manhood /womanhood● Assumptions on what a man/woman likes● Behaviour that is expected by a man/woman


The male/female duality is reflected by other dualities:

MaleWorkPublicHardBlueIntroversion

FemaleHome

PrivateSoftPink

Extroversion


In the Past 40 years the boundaries between these dualisms have been blurred


In the Past 40 years the boundaries between these dualisms have been blurred

But the stereotypes are still present today.


What has this got to do with technology?


Glad you ask!


Technology


Technology

A simple definition:the engineered products and

services that surround us


Ask yourself:Who

● Engineeres● Designs● Produces/Manufactures● Repairs/Maintains● Uses

these products & services?


Engineers in Germany2008:

Women: 77'986 11.6%Men: 596'280 88.4%

Source: Verband Deutsche Ingenieure e.V.(German Engineering Association)


Architects & Construction engineers

Source: Verband Deutsche Ingenieure e.V.(German Engineering Association)

Electrical engineers


Electronics assembly line

Production


Source: Bundesamt für Statistik(Swiss Federal Buro of Statistics)

Internet usage in relation to age and sex

MenWomen

15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

Age

Users


Is there gendered technology?


#1 The superfluous hair problem



Form follows function Form follows emotions



● Beard trimming for men, with blades

● Full body epilation for women with a wide variety: shaving, waxing, depilatory creams, laser treatment


The 1920-40 featured a variety of mostly bizarre techniques:

● Abrasives made from sandpaper● Aggresive chemical treatments● Removal by electrolysis where the hair was galvanised and roasted away,

predecessor of laser treatment.● X-Ray Epilation where the hair was removed by radiation



„Trimming the bush to make the tree look taller“Gillette, Groin-Shaving tips


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TiJNewpCnY

Watch this and notice the references to technology!


#2 Home sweet home


#2 Home sweet home

Gadgets!


#2 Home sweet home

Gadgets!

And a lot of assumptions!


General household tools

Associated with women


But of course: the washing machine is repaired by a man...


Household tools in a broader sense

Associated with men


Leisure items

Associated with men and women


Programming


A brief history lessonProgramming


During World War II the U.S. Army started to use machines to figure out

ballistic trajectories and to solve complex mathematical equations of

wartime research


These Machines filled entire houses and tookseveral people tooperate.


Nearly two hundred mathematically trained women were recruited.


Nearly two hundred mathematically trained women were recruited

They were called „computers“.


Ironically the machines would take overtheir name and replace them later in history.


So while men engineered the machines women did the programming


Since the real bottleneck was engineering the machines, the women's work was regarded as subprofessional.


These women never received any credit for their innovations and inventions


Once the bottleneck of engineering had been mastered the new major task had become programming the machine.


Once the bottleneck of engineering had been mastered the new major task had become programming the machine.

That's the point where men took over.


EmancipationClosing the gap


● Freedom of choice


● Freedom of choice ● Equality :

● Opportunities (education, jobs)● Genuine encouragement ● Credits and rewards (salary, Promotions)


● Freedom of choice ● Equality :

● Opportunities (education, jobs)● Genuine encouragement ● Credits and rewards (salary, Promotions)

● Dropping the assumptions on what men/women want, like and need


Embrace Difference!Overcome dualities and assumptions!


Thank you!


Bibliography:

Lerman, Nina E. Et al. Gender & Technology. A Reader. 2003. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Froidevaux, Yves and Volker G. Täube Internetnutzung in den Haushalten der Schweiz. 2006. Bundesamt für Statistik, Neuchâtel

Statistics on slides 24/25:Verband Deutsche Ingenieure e.V.: Arbeitsmarktdaten Ingenieurwissenschaftenhttp://liip.to/engineerStatsGermany

Mind the Gap: On Gender And Technology

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