[OT] Girls Don't Code??

[Bob Sneidar]

In response to the recent LC Journal article about girls and coding, I would like to say that propose there are 3 possible reasons that girls don't code is like asking someone what kind of vegetable they prefer: Peas or Carrots. There is at least one more possibility I might add to the list: Girls in general, may not LIKE to code. But that is not to say ALL. It's obvious I think, especially looking at Jacque's work that some women are perfectly capable of producing good software, and enjoying it too! It's also obvious (to me at least) that some men cannot seem to bring a coding project to completion because I erm.. I mean "they" give up sometimes out of frustration. 

I think it is more a question of tendencies than abilities. For instance, most women can get together with their arts and crafts all in a room and positively love it, but certainly not ALL women will. Men, well... not so much. On the flip side, most men can get together and get all kinds of greasy and grimy working on an old car that ought to go straight to the junkyard, and call it a great day off of work. Women... think we are crazy. 

This isn't to say that no woman can work on a car, and like it, or that no man enjoys arts and crafts. The boundaries are somewhat vague. But I think we all see the tendencies between the sexes, and frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way. I think it is a mistake to try and alter these natural tendencies. Those who want to try, do so because in my humble opinion, they confuse "equal in standing" with "equal in nature" and make all kinds of errors because of it. When we are free to pursue whatever makes us happy, certain patterns emerge. They tell us something about how we are wired. I kind of like how I am wired, frankly, and would take offense if someone embarked on a program to try and recondition me to like arts and crafts. 

Bob