@James I do see those stereotypes you propposed above quite a lot. Sometimes it seems that if a woman is doing anything other than ‘nurturing’, she’s suspect.

@Melinda the kind of networking I was referring to is that very focused collaboration where a small group get together and push each other other’s websites forward in ways with high gain – and also collaboration where they actually join forces in the one website/business.

Definitely women are heavily into networking and business forums (and being more social in general, do it better), but I don’t see the level of collaboration that male bloggers exhibit.

@ Patsi, I think it is a man’s world, whether we like it or not. I’ll give you Pam Slim, she’s probably the closest female I can think of who comes close to being an A-Lister.

@ James, yes, I’ve had discussions like that with some female writers. And the arguing….. oh yeah….

@ Rosebelle, I think gender is always in the background even if we’re not aware of it.

@ Friar, you may be right, however in this case all the figures came from bloggers. Everyone in the report is a blogger with their blog claimed on Technorati. What you say may be true in the wider community (world) however for these figures every single person is a blogger, so the gender bias is very clear. Unless you want to discuss that maybe guys fill in more surveys than women?

@ Alex, definately! I look around at the public service here and there are more women than men. Top levels – ovewhelmingly male.

@ James, you’d get that too, yes? Single dad with two kids = you must be a hero. Single mum with two kids = normal life.

@ Anni, nah, I think we women have it over the guys when it comes to networking! Look at how many women get together for coffee, form forums and discussion groups etc. Although ours tends to not be as business focussed as the guys. Maybe we need an ‘old girls’ network too!

How do others view online content when it is written by a woman as opposed to a male?!

Well, I recently read something that I thought was written by a guy and then I found out it was written by a woman. I’m embarrased to say that I found I was questioning what I’d read, whereas before I had simply accepted it as correct. Nothing had changed except that I had a tiny bit more information about the author.

That was a huge surprise, as I would have said that I didn’t care if it was written by a guy or a woman. It’s something that I’m now a lot more aware of – the information doesn’t change because of who writes it.

@ James (again), yes, definately! And then there’s you Quebecois people…

A man who is authoritative is a leader. A woman is pushy.
A man who puts his foot down is firm and strong. A woman is being uncompromising.
A man who forges ahead is admirable. A woman is uncaring of others.
A man who uses other people to get ahead is savvy. A woman is a bitch.

Not saying I believe those, just saying that’s an example of what people see based on gender. And, these things can affect success.
.-= James Chartrand – Men with Pens´s last post…The Dragons of Writing and How to Fight Them =-.

Many of the successful blogger guys understand that in order to establish themselves as experts, they need networking, an understanding of online tech, and leverage (as well as good content.)

Doing well as a blogger can also involve interest in technology (running a website, seo, online tools, plugins etc) and women have been slower to take this up.
When I was studying IT 10 years ago, I was of only about five women as against around forty guys. When I studied social work before that, the percentages were reversed.

I don’t mind whether what I’m reading online is written by a man or a woman. But it’s a very interesting question – How do others view online content when it is written by a woman as opposed to a male?!
.-= Anni Taylor´s last post…12 foot trampoline in a small yard =-.

The men would talk in the hallway. “What’s he going to do after he’s gone? Two kids, man! Who’ll take care of them?” It was a courageous act of honor that it seemed this CEO would carry on caring for the children alone.

And the women in the office couldn’t help but think…

They do this every day.
.-= James Chartrand – Men with Pens´s last post…We Like Special Announcements. Here are Three. =-.

@Friar
There’s no one complaining about this (or about the gender bias in favor of women in roles like nurses) because the world is hugely sexiest – a man taking a traditionally “female” role is seen as degrading himself (how many male nurse jokes are there?) but a woman taking a traditionally “male” role is asserting her power.
.-= Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last post…No, I Won’t Talk to You: Why Someday Syndrome Offers Email-Based Coaching =-.

Not that this is necessarily right or wrong. That’s just the way it IS.

And how is it when there’s a gender bias in favor of females (i.e. elementary school teachers) nobody ever complains?
.-= Friar´s last post…A Single Person’s Open Letter of Apology to Parents =-.

I know that in the writing world, women are paid less. They’re argued with more. Their rates are up for question. Their advice is often poo-poohed. They’re often condescended to if they take time off – must be the kids – or miss a deadline – kids again. There’s little respect, it’s hard to grow a business and you have to want it badly.

Many, MANY female writers complain of this.

And yet, my rates are never questioned. Very often, people think I charge more than I do. My advice and recommendations are taken seriously. If I take a day off, I’m told, “Good for you! You must work hard!” (I do – women do too, and women with kids more so.) If I say I have to miss a deadline, my clients asked sympathetically, “Wow. I hope it’s not that basement flooding again.” (No, it was a cold.) I’ve never lacked for respect (save an ass client or two), I’ve grown my business easily (just determination? Or something else at play?) and…

Yeah. I want it bad.

Just as bad as the women I know.

It’s fine to sit there and say, “There are plenty of successful women.” There are. Are they outnumbered? Oooh yeah. Do they work harder to be successful? Oooh yeah. Can everyone just sit back and say, “I pretend it’s not there,” or “We just carry on and it’s fine?”

No. Sorry, no. A head in the sand just gets you blocked ears and a mouthful of grit.
.-= James Chartrand – Men with Pens´s last post…How to Add Spice to Your Content =-.