August 15, 2008
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On being a girl
Call me paranoid, but whenever I start a new job at a company that's not a web development company, I feel like I have to work extra hard to prove myself as competent in my line of work. While I know that there is that feeling whenever one starts a job, I definitely feel more pressure in a company where there is no one but me who has expertise in my field (which is strange, because shoudln't it be harder at a company where everyone does the same thing as me?). It's hard working without peers... but is this the only reason for my sense of unease?
There's one thing that always nags me at these companys in which all the more skill-involved jobs are done by men and the only jobs held by women are accounting assistants, HR, secretaries, and other phone picker-uppers and paper shufflers:
Would I have to work this hard for respect if I was a guy with the same amount of experience?
I'll never know for sure... but I have a sneaking suspicion that I wouldn't like the real answer.
Comments (13)
i dunno, most of the girls i know suck with anything involving numbers or programming.
@Yosho - Are you saying that even with the same amount of experience (which is 10 years, by the way) you'd still be suspicious of the new girl because of that stereotype?
haha yes, I once talked to a manager who had no clue WTF I was doing because it was in Access. And she supervises like 10 people in a very analytical department. I was like WTF!
I mean a lot of stereotypes are based on some truth, men are just better at certain things than women and vice versa. But hey, at least they'll be more impressed when you prove them wrong right? It's like having a girl who could kick my ass at snowboarding and video games, probably won't ever happen but if it does, WOW!
Its the same in uniform..
my gunner was a female. best shot in the unit.
hell she outshot me by one target, I had no grudge aganst her.
However, on of my leaders decided the night my team went out he was going to take her on an outing just for two.
when she refused her held a grudge...
ended ugly, they give good soldiers like me a bad name.
it shouldnt matter if u are qualified the job should be yours.
no you dont.. and yes you do... that's the real answer.. =)
work the corner, hun
You only feel this way, because of your conditioning in a male dominated society. But hang in there, the tides are changing and this limitation will only hold you back if you believe being a girl is a limitation. I think that women are infact more capable in many cases. Women live longer, are smarter, and appreciate life more in general. I believe it is the men who need women.. and not just at home.
i completely agree with you. i actually had the same discussion about women in the workforce today.
so frustrating
Would you have to work that hard if you were a man? -of course fucking not, what world do you live in? Being a girl means working harder to get respect. Unfortunately.
Although it also means controlling penis with your mind.
i work in culinary and god knows its a male dominated workforce. so many times ive gotten the lines: "if i hire you im gonna stick you between two men, youre not gonna really cook, just prep and chop stuff and play referee.why? because youre a girl.thats what little ladies should do, buttress the work of men." also, at every other job i take, i have to demand that the boss give me the same pay as the guy hired along with me. then they label me "a difficult bitch".in this world its so easy to keep things unfair.to just take it. as long as you fight and prove with your skills that youre worth it, i believe things will get better.
its been a very very long time since i last came here 2 years ago on my old site
its nice to see youre still around
and that youve changed your banner from that cartoon.
Hi Kim, didn't know you moved to vegas, congrats
) and good luck, now i have another person to say hi to when i visit vegas, anywhoo, you're great at what you do and really, actions speak louder than words.
hi kimm.
a few days ago i randomly decided to check up on some xanga people just to see if they were still there. the last time i used xanga was like, three years ago ? you have no idea how unpleasant it would have been for me if those people (and you!) decided to ditch their blogs.
when i read your entries, i get these vicarious sensations of how i'd like my life to be when i graduate high school...and then college. i love your personality and your artistic abilities. the crafts you make are absolutely beautiful.
i really hope that you don't feel like updating blogs are a waste of your time, even though your eprop count has decreased over the years. is it stalker-y to admit that i've read a lot of entries up to 2006ish? :3
i just needed to get that off my chest !
the unexpected is usually more interesting ! i'm sorry if this is irrelevant, but wouldn't you rather be a girl with a surprisingly vast knowledge of computer science ? double standards might play out in your favor. people would be more impressed by you, then say, a guy with your experience since they stereotypes and expectations to live up to.