Why do women on the internet identify themselves?

[Cherry Cola]

Nope now its all in 3 shades which is totally worse. There's more to expressing ones gender by name than what your list indicates. Seems you can't handle reality, reality has more than 3 shades.

It seems you should study some sociolinguistics.

 

[TimeAsylums]

Nope now its all in 3 shades which is totally worse. There's more to expressing ones gender by name than what your list indicates. Seems you can't handle reality, reality has more than 3 shades.

It seems you should study some sociolinguistics.

it actually matters why?

 

[BigApplePi]

Originally Posted by Wrestler Girl 97
Why shouldn't we identify ourselves as male or female?

That wasn't the question. Women do it more than men, why?

I don't know who identifies themselves more, but how about this?

A woman identifying herself will be treated more courteously by men. Men who identify themselves as male ... so what? Posters who don't identify their sex are more subject to random flaming <-- don't know if this is true.

 

[Base groove]

it actually matters why?

Oh plz ... the go-to argument of anybody who's too cool for school.

I thought your revision was fair and accurate.

A woman identifying herself will be treated more courteously by men. Men who identify themselves as male ... so what? Posters who don't identify their sex are more subject to random flaming <-- don't know if this is true.

It's funny how you can get this far into a thread and then suddenly catch up with everybody who was on Page1.

 

[Jennywocky]

much better

I don't include actual names stuck inside a username, because it isn't necessarily to indicate gender. You can't equate the two. (For me in particular, my name was meant to create a pun about the Jabberwocky, not to indicate my gender or real name whatsoever as a primary focus; that was incidental.)

You need to test your assumptions when collecting data.

 

[Cherry Cola]

TA: One reason it matters is because the names I listed as indicative of a male user are more blatantly garnering social prestige than the others.
Another is that they pertain to male-dominated subjects.

You can read about gender and prestige in language on wikipedia. And it's pretty easy to google.

 

[Kuu]

Jenny is totally pwning this thread.

There was no evidence provided by those that claim that men are the norm on most places online. This is but an old conception that might have been true 20 years ago, but unlikely to be so anymore. With internet anonymity, anyone can claim to be whatever they want to, and extremely hard to verify. To assert with certainty that men dominate the internet is simply unsustained.

Secondly, Jenny's point that Architect's question is founded on observation bias remains largely unadressed. Do people really explicitly claim to be female more often than male, or is it just that men only notice it when a female does it? Has anyone actually seriously gathered the data?

Another cause of the sad, kneejerk, base arguments that have been posted is partly Architect's fault for expressing his observation in such a broad manner: not some women, but women as a whole. That might not have been his intention, but either due to sloppiness or underlying gender bias, it certainly is easy to read it as a black and white matter.

Now, why do some women (like some men) seem compelled to identify their gender in their usernames?

I gather:
1) Some people just don't care about anonymity or hiding their gender, and they just happened to like the sound of it in the name.
2) Some people might strongly identify with their gender and feel it's such an important part of them that they consciously or subconsciously find ways to reveal it.
3) Some people might think that they could gain certain advantages / avoid disadvantages in claiming to be a certain gender, and thus deliberately do so.

 

[Latte]

The "New Girl" thread, by "Wrestler Girl" no less (or some variation) prompted this. I've wondered for a long time why women feel compelled to identify themselves as female on the internet. It dates back to the early days even, back then you'd see "techguurl" and such nonsense. You rarely see "techguy" or variations.

Actually, I see such quite a lot. Including ___bro and the like. I don't think most men are very aware of this.

Your question implies a singular motivation too. For women. In general. Or a single set of motivations. This should not be assumed.

[bIMG]http://i.imgur.com/3TY3Aya.png[/bIMG]

...Maybe. But probably they just have no reason to hide who they are. I doubt anyone considers the advantages or disadvantages of identifying their gender. It's besides the point in their own mind.

This illustrates very well why there is so much hostility and assumption in regards to women who do not keep their gender secret, but not in the way the creator of this assumes.

As has previously been uttered in this thread, anonymous isn't the default, male is the default. I see people who out themselves as males constantly on 4chan, but there's no backlash in the least.

This is because of a generalized perception of intent on the part of females. A perception that females who reveal that they are female, be it by implication of talking about something that requires this information to be presented, or be it an explicit act.

What is assumed is that the way many males might react to knowing someone is a female (trying to woo the person in some way) is pretty much always the intent. The female is blamed for this behavior on the part of some males, a kind of behavior that often gets in the way of good or proper discourse. She is blamed (alone mostly. because boys are just gonna be boys right?) because she is percieved as having the power to cause this avalanche of shit by revealing herself, and it is assumed that this is what she wants, and thus she gets painted as an egocentric shithead who only wants to be worshipped.

Firstly, it takes two to tango. Secondly, it may not be her intent. In some cases, there is such intent. In such cases, by all means, people can tell the person to sod off and contribute rather than being merely an egocentric attention leech on a community.

But it's gotten way out of hand, and the attitude justifying tits or gtfo has morphed into something of an ugly overgeneralizing assumptive self-righteous persecution movement.

 

[The Gopher]

Just with the whole name thing I've had a lot of people assume I'm female. I think it might be more my writing style than name but it is curious that at least to some extent I break the assumed male thing... I wonder why.

 

[Decaf]

In some cases (like video game servers) I think self-identifying as female has a selfish intent that relates somewhat to how the sexes are treated in real life (not that that makes the action somehow wrong). However, here? In a forum ostensibly dedicated to helping each other understand themselves? I don't think we should give a little slack. Many of us have exposed much more personal things here than the state of our dingleberries and hoo-has. Context is important.

As for why men don't explicitly self-identify? This may be where some of the vitriol comes from. MOST men don't have a problem with women fighting for respect and equality. Where things tend to jump the rails is that not everyone fighting does it respectfully. In the eyes of many who feel disrespected, it is fair game to disrespect others, and so you have accusations being thrown at men "in general". A man who self-identifies on the internet goes from a nebulous "it" to a "he", with all those accusations attached (yes, we typically use "he", but only because "it" would seem odd in English).

 

[Base groove]

Just with the whole name thing I've had a lot of people assume I'm female. I think it might be more my writing style than name but it is curious that at least to some extent I break the assumed male thing... I wonder why.

Gopher,

IT'S THE PURPLE!

 

[Cherry Cola]

Just with the whole name thing I've had a lot of people assume I'm female. I think it might be more my writing style than name but it is curious that at least to some extent I break the assumed male thing... I wonder why.

It is, if you use emotional language, avoid profanity and write in an expressive manner be it through simply prose or with the help of smileys then people are much more likely to assume you're female.

 

[digitalbum]

Well I will be honest ... "women" is plural. "A women" is not a noun.

Man you're annoying.

The "New Girl" thread, by "Wrestler Girl" no less (or some variation) prompted this. I've wondered for a long time why women feel compelled to identify themselves as female on the internet. It dates back to the early days even, back then you'd see "techguurl" and such nonsense. You rarely see "techguy" or variations.

this leads me to my own question, which

-

has already asked:

Why shouldn't we identify ourselves as male or female?

@architect "That wasn't the question. Women do it more than men, why?"

I think it should be fukin' required.

And I know not everyone does it, but why advertise your type? There's stereotypes about gender and types that happen to be true. And it's interesting to know before hand (if you want to argue with me about this. BRING IT).

 

[The Gopher]

Gopher,

IT'S THE PURPLE!

DUUUUUUUUUUUUDE I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THAT!

 

[Cherry Cola]

It's also funny how the thread has been birthed because Wrestler_Girl_97 named herself as such. Guess at what age gender identification matters most to people? Let's use that as a basis.

 

[Base groove]

Man you're annoying.

Shut up. What's annoying is people who fail at English and don't care. Language is one of mankind's biggest achievements of all time and it is disrespectful to humanity at large to have an attitude of indifference about linguistic expression.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Jenny is totally pwning this thread.

There was no evidence provided by those that claim that men are the norm on most places online. This is but an old conception that might have been true 20 years ago, but unlikely to be so anymore. With internet anonymity, anyone can claim to be whatever they want to, and extremely hard to verify. To assert with certainty that men dominate the internet is simply unsustained.

It really doesn't matter whether males dominate 100% or 48% everywhere or that the domination is greater in some places(e.g. forums) and less than others(e.g. Facebook).

The fact is that the dominant perspective of the internet has a huge male bias(much like Eurocentrism) that is both subconscious and intentional. Reasons why females may declare or hint at their gender and sex has already been given, but I want to include 'feeling at odds with that male bias'.

This argument is so old, so ridiculous, so unresolvable...

Let's throw more wood on the fire shall we.
[bIMG]http://i.imgur.com/qIJG2Gj.png[/bIMG]

There are many sides to this that are worth acknowledging but not worth it if people are just going to use it as a tool of persuasion and not truth-finding.

 

[TimeAsylums]

Jenny's point that Architect's question is founded on observation bias remains largely unadressed.

Because

if the answer is simply: Architect's observation is faulty = /thread

IF he is accurate in his observation, then = thread,


the yes premise permits conversation and discussion, the no just ends it.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

For those looking for statistics, we had a poll.

And insights from the last time we had this discussion.

 

[digitalbum]

Shut up. What's annoying is people who fail at English and don't care. Language is one of mankind's biggest achievements of all time and it is disrespectful to humanity at large to have an attitude of indifference about linguistic expression.

My B, you're right.

I keep forgetting we're not in a forum and are actually writing Medical Journals and college theses.

 

[Base groove]

My B, you're right.

I keep forgetting we're not in a forum and are actually writing Medical Journals and college theses.

You argue like a bitch. Get lost. Don't start shit.

 

[digitalbum]

You argue like a bitch. Get lost. Don't start shit.

Nah. Don't think so vajra being.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cherry Cola]

Lol stop replying to him then Digitalbum. Besides he is right, you can write sloppishly and a uh not a bother 2 much with dem grammatix, but you should still get some stuff right for the sake of making yourself understood. Plural and Singular are some stuff.

 

[ENTP lurker]

When something goes against stereotypical norm. Just like when James Randi came out of the closet. In this case INTP and girl (altough ISTP is the masculine one) . ESFP/J Pillow fighter Girl/Bitch?

 

[digitalbum]

Lol stop replying to him then Digitalbum. Besides he is right, you can write sloppishly and a uh not a bother 2 much with dem grammatix, but you should still get some stuff right for the sake of making yourself understood. Plural and Singular are some stuff.

Ha, hey don't put this all on me man. And have you ever NOT understood me due to grammar? I doubt it. Find me an example, or it's not true.

Heeheee

 

[Cavallier]

I like to switch it up. People treat me differently based on my avatar. I started out genderless then found an avatar I liked and happened to be femanine. Later on many members thought I was male. I had Tom Waits or Bob Dylan as my avatar and my writing style is apparently genderless enough that when prompted with a masculine avatar people who don't know me assume I'm male.

Right now my avatar is very feminine. People think I'm female.

If I changed my avatar to a male again and gave it six months most of the newbs would think I'm male again.

I generally don't oust myself unless I feel it relates to the discussion.

I know of several admin here who are consistently misidentified as male or female. I thought one of them was female for years and only recently discovered he is male. *shrug*

 

[The Gopher]

Puffy?

 

[Lot]

Just with the whole name thing I've had a lot of people assume I'm female. I think it might be more my writing style than name but it is curious that at least to some extent I break the assumed male thing... I wonder why.

I just assumed you were sexy . Gotta get me some gopher


This thread is so cringe worthy. Mensrights lol

 

[digitalbum]

I just think it's weird. I'd like to be able to say, "Right on sister!" or "Dude, I know."

Like why the gender anonymity? Please, help me understand?

 

[Cavallier]

Puffy?

No. Puffy is actually genderless. Duh.

But I won't say who I was actually confused about because it is not for me to say.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

No. Puffy is actually genderless. Duh.

But I won't say who I was actually confused about because it is not for me to say.

Kuu? There's not really many to choose from...

 

[The Gopher]

It's puffy she is just saving face.

 

[Base groove]

Honestly I thought Puffy was bang-on.

His writing comes across as effeminate. No offense.....

 

[Fukyo]

Moderator rating by manliness

1. Fukyo
2. Cavallier
3. Puffy
4. Polaris
5. Kuu
6. Absurdity

 

[EyeSeeCold]

^ Is that from most manliest to least? Or vice versa?

 

[Fukyo]

From most to least, of course.

 

[BigApplePi]

-Men are the norm on most places online. So if you don't want people to assume you're a man you've gotta be up front about it.

Go with what CC said. When the subject matter is sex irrelevant there is no need for sexual identification. If the subject matter is carrying some male characteristic with male bias (real or imagined), a female might become self-conscious of her own bias and either hide or reveal that fact so as to expose the bias.

If the subject matter is carrying some female characteristic with female bias (real or imagined), a male might become self-conscious of his own bias and either hide or reveal that fact so as to expose the bias. How many times have you come upon a group of people all of which are of the opposite sex in real life? What do you do?

 

[Kuu]

The fact is that the dominant perspective of the internet has a huge male bias(much like Eurocentrism) that is both subconscious and intentional.

I can agree with this. However, it had not been expressed like so by the ones making the claims...

Because

if the answer is simply: Architect's observation is faulty = /thread

IF he is accurate in his observation, then = thread,

the yes premise permits conversation and discussion, the no just ends it.

If you are narrow-minded, that might be so. The faultiness of the original observation does not preclude a conversation to develop based on it, on the contrary the conversation is expanded into a broader debate, bringing more questions forth.


As an aside addendum, I actually changed my username, way back, into a deliberately gender-neutral one (though I don't actively attempt to hide it).

 

[Absurdity]

I thought one of them was female for years and only recently discovered he is male. *shrug*

Was it me? D:

 

[Grayman]

Am I welcome to post here? I don't want to ruin Architect's assumption simply by existing.

 

[Puffy]

The gender ambiguity associated with my presence here continues to make me smile.

Carry on, peasants!

Just with the whole name thing I've had a lot of people assume I'm female. I think it might be more my writing style than name but it is curious that at least to some extent I break the assumed male thing... I wonder why.

Further evidence that we are in fact the same person.

 

[Lot]

The gender ambiguity associated with my presence here continues to make me smile.

I don't get that. You've posted pictures before.

 

[Fukyo]

I don't get that. You've posted pictures before.

Not everyone creeps as much as some of us do.

 

[Lot]

Not everyone creeps as much as some of us do.

Creepy is my middle name

 

[Deleted member 1424]

@cherrycola

Adaire is a male name. It means wealthy spear.
I'm pretty sure there is a dick joke in there somewhere.

 

[Pyropyro]

The "New Girl" thread, by "Wrestler Girl" no less (or some variation) prompted this. I've wondered for a long time why women feel compelled to identify themselves as female on the internet. It dates back to the early days even, back then you'd see "techguurl" and such nonsense. You rarely see "techguy" or variations.

I can think of a few:

1. Because they like their gender and want to add it to their username.

2. To avoid confusion. Male is usually the default means of addressing people. I believe the English language doesn't use gender neutral third singular pronouns ("it" would be rude).

However, I find it handy to use plural pronouns to address users that has not expressed their gender yet.

3. They're law enforcement officers/ NGO members who are conducting entrapment operations against sex offenders. Pretending to be a minor and a girl tends to attract the nasty denizens of the Internet.

4. People are more courteous to girls. There are immature males that may disrespect them but it is best for them not to go to where these people lurk anyways. Heck, even having a female avatar on MMORPG's makes others want to help you more.

 

[Cherry Cola]

@cherrycola

Adaire is a male name. It means wealthy spear.
I'm pretty sure there is a dick joke in there somewhere.

Bah I put that as gender neutral first, then I googled it and the first result said female. Now I googled it again and the first result was from a shit site which obv couldn't be trusted and the second result said male.

Simply phallacious. I am sorry.

 

[Affinity]

Prob cause woman love attention.

 

[Latte]

Heck, even having a female avatar on MMORPG's makes others want to help you more.

shiit. total tangent, but, back in my world of warcraft days there was this guy who fell in love (or was at least strongly infatuated with) with a person he thought was a girl after a long time of knowing each other and interacting. as far as I understand it, the person with the female avatar didn't actually identify as female IRL and saw the whole deal as roleplaying of sorts.

Long story short, guy was devastated upon the realization that this love interest he had gotten so much hope and invested so much in emotionally turned out to be a heterosexual guy roleplaying a persona... and upon witnessing his devastation, this roleplaying guy was devastated as well and felt immensely guilty for not making sure the other guy was aware that it was a highly developed role sooner.

All the people on the server who got mail from the drama llama were hit very strongly in the feels. It felt so tragic, this love story that just wasn't completely so, but sort of was, in a way. In the feels. While it lasted.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Adaire is a male name. It means wealthy spear.
I'm pretty sure there is a dick joke in there somewhere.

I would point it out but it might be too hard for you to grasp.