Why The Male Domination in Forums?

Seig Heil Rug

Actually I believe they are distinct paths people use to arrive at decision-making.
So my answer to your question would be 'no'.

Often another feature is involved that of 'past influence'. Things we have already learned which bring both emotion and logic to the process, often in conflict with each other.

Men will resort to the most reasoned and cool whereas women seem to bubble with feeling and empathy (or the opposite - dislike).

It is an interesting experiment when you read something on a forum - an opinion or article - which commands your attention, and the succeeding process you go through - either through a re-read employing logical steps or a reactive one employing emotional steps.

It's all wound up in what we call life experience. Something we may not be aware of if it is too painful or unimportant at the time of the earlier experience.

It's early - forgive the attempt.

How about this?

If you read the following opinion from me: All men think women are inferior.

Go through the steps you take - the first usually is personalizing it.
It is a flamer of a statement and that is what makes forums live (unfortunately) - those opinions with which we disagree or are confused by.

Otherwise we would all be sharing recipies for great garden mulch or muffins.
Being bored.

Anyway I hope we can all appreciate the differences in gender thought.

As I have spent much of the last eight years belonging to, contributing to and reviling my foolishness within the hallowed halls of these cyber kingdoms, I wonder why the majority of forums on the internet which seek to discuss relevant societal topics seem to be male oriented and for want of a better word: dominated.

I haven't necessarily sought out gender when looking for a place to roost for a spell, but look for thought out discourse, interesting topics, a minimum of hysteria, four-letter invectives, and often seek out humor - well done humor.

In sum - 90% of these are male owned, operated, moderated, contributed to by a male group, and while I have met some extremely interesting and vital women on these forums, we seem to be in the minority - not only in numbers but in consideration of our opinions and our offers of debate.

I am not a feminazi by any means - I adore men and adore their company on a forum, but it seems with exception of a very few truly wonderful women I have met, many females barter for attention with strange behavior, stranger messages, whining, and complaining.

Puhleese...is this my insular and uneducated opinion only or do other people find this to be almost fact (nothing in the internet world is real fact is it?)..?

caveat there are many female forums on child rearing, education, self-help groups, that kind of topic - but for a general forum based on social, governmental, political issues of each day.... men seem to be the ruling authority, and strangely enough god-like in the eyes of a few trusting slaves.

I know women who pose as men on message boards for that very reason.


I know one woman in particular who did an interesting study on the sociology of gender and the internet. She was treated much better when people believed she was a man AND she received a lot more attention from first other men looking to talk about people and second women who were, well, cruising.

I go to two political sites run by women and both places are accused of being headed by "bitches", "ballbusters", or "dykes" when they run their sites like men.


What you are talking about is societal and it carries over into cyberspace.

as a person who runs many websites, you're absolutely right.

I think it's this way for a couple reasons based on stereotypes:

guys research stuff, girls impulse buy
girls watch more tv than guys (when was the last time you heard a guy say OMG THAT'S MY SHOW!)
the IT field is dominated by guys (at least 90-95%) and thus, guys start stuff they are interested in. you won't see my running a purse forum (but i can recomend you one that a buddy runs for his g/f)
Guys are into more 'techy' hobbies, like cars, computers, home theatre, which requires product research, part help, etc, where as girls are into clothes, fashion, shopping, and scrap-booking....

So, again, totally stereotypical, but thats the reason why there's more guys on forums than girls I think

Thanks SoCal!

It's great - I worried much after I posted my topic if any guys would take part - and I hoped so.

There are forums I would not bother writing anything resembling the post as it would be taken negatively but the group here so far seem to be ok with it.

I think...

Anyway I hope we can all appreciate the differences in gender thought.

Skye, take heart that you and a few other ladies are having an impact on this issue. Men, however are not at fault for the status quo.
The lack of interest and lack of consideration of issues that deserve serious thought have not been at the front of the minds of women. When that changes, so too will the status quo. Men have quickly adapted to changes brought on by the technological advances in society. Examples being, race issues, poverty, homosexuality. Women, to be accepted in these forums, must delve seriously into issues with forethought. Which I believe they will. But the issue you have brought up, is simply the beginning of a new era. Which you are an effective leader in.

What if I admitted I was actually a woman posing as a man....

What if I admitted I was actually a woman posing as a man....

I know women who pose as men on message boards for that very reason.


I know one woman in particular who did an interesting study on the sociology of gender and the internet. She was treated much better when people believed she was a man AND she received a lot more attention from first other men looking to talk about people and second women who were, well, cruising.

I go to two political sites run by women and both places are accused of being headed by "***es", "ballbusters", or "dykes" when they run their sites like men.


What you are talking about is societal and it carries over into cyberspace.