Quote:
Originally Posted by Robh
Does anyone have a different feeling about the stats?
Are there any male/female couples out there that regularly do astronomical viewing together?
Assuming my feelings about the stats are right, my question in this International Year of Astronomy is “Why so few girls?” Why have we, as a society, not attracted more woman into this field of endeavour?
Are guys more “hard-wired” to astronomy or is it a case of “pink or blue, dolls or trucks” from an early age?
Female viewpoint welcome!
Curious, Rob
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You're looking in the wrong place - come to Perth and you'll find a very strong female presence in the club scene here. This has been the norm for several years, and if I may name drop, even David Malin commented on it about 10 years ago when he was here for an Astrofest event. ASWA has had two female presidents in the past and is looking at third. And I know of at least two husband/wife couples who love their observing with equal passion. A rough count of women I usually see active in ASWA comes to...11 at least so any other women coming along usually fit right in and stay. At least two of them are techno-geeks and spend a lot of time choosing the best gadgets for their high-quality refractors to play with.
So, it can be done.
I would have to say personally I have not been discouraged in this hobby because of my gender. If you are enthusiastic about it and just jump right in for the love of it no one seems to really care if you're a boy or girl, at least that's what I've found.