Women in Geology: Progress... or Not?

[tectonite]

Two days ago, a male student asked whether it was all right to use the word "man" to refer to humans.

Yesterday, a female student asked whether a mining company would hire a woman to describe rock cores at a remote camp in Alaska.

Comments

[tectonite]

Yes, I decided to use ticky boxes because I figured that people may have had different experiences at different points in their careers.

[yami_mcmoots]

I put "my opinion isn't described here" for the last question, because I don't think "opportunity" is the right way to frame it. I think it's less a question of "is this job available to me?" than "how much shit will I have to put up with?". Background, ability, and drive being equal, men will be more likely to pursue opportunities than women, because it requires less effort for them to do so.

[tectonite]

That's a really good point. I guess I phrased the question in that way because I was so surprised by my student's question. She didn't say that she couldn't imagine a woman wanting the job; she asked whether anyone would hire a woman for it. I'm used to "is it really worth it?" kinds of discussions, but it's been years since I've heard anyone ask whether a woman would be allowed to do a particular job.

But yes -- I think for most people, it's not a matter of outright discrimination any more. There are just all sorts of discouraging factors that add up.

Why are men not welcoming women in geological careers?

[yami_mcmoots]

It is a year later, I ran across your blog. I have been told by male colleagues that they welcome women in geological careers, but actions speak louder than words