What if R2R added a forum about

[susan ingram]

How cool would it be (or not be) to have a forum dedicated to women/girls in the hobby?? Just a thought...

 

[Hugh Mann]

An interesting concept, as it certainly does seem to be a primarily male dominated hobby. At least most folks I've spoken to directly are. Unsure the ratio in R2R.

 

[Tumey]

Here’s a recent thread anyway
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/women-in-reefing.712969/

 

[Anthony Scholfield]

Not saying its good or a bad idea i just dont understand the purpose of it. What would be discussed there that isnt already covered in all the other forums? Why the need to be separate? we are a community of reef keepers, gender isnt important in my opinion.

 

[susan ingram]

Not saying its good or a bad idea i just dont understand the purpose of it. What would be discussed there that isnt already covered in all the other forums? Why the need to be separate? we are a community of reef keepers, gender isnt important in my opinion.

Well, in my experience there are far more many men in the hobby than women. Sometimes it makes a difference, like waiting while you watch 4 guys that walked in after you getting helped first. I was thinking of moms that share the hobby with their daughters. I mean this is definitely a way of getting kids interested in science and my niece and I definitely have different types of discussions than her twin brother and I have. They are both 7 and very involved in helping out with the turtles and the tanks. Disclosure: I am a sociologist so I am always looking for ways to shift some of the power dynamics in the communities I am a part of. Thanks for asking the important question.. maybe just a badge??

 

[Doctorgori]

I’m gonna risk speaking for everyone here but I’d bet 100% of males like/appreciate the inclusion of the opposite sex in the hobby...
Not sure a separate forum celebrates/supports that or not, but would certainly provide tangible proof of female participation...
in that same vein; part of me is sorta gender curious, part of me says it doesn’t matter...

Torn...

 

[scdigby]

Not saying its good or a bad idea i just dont understand the purpose of it. What would be discussed there that isnt already covered in all the other forums? Why the need to be separate? we are a community of reef keepers, gender isnt important in my opinion.

Since women seem to be so few and far between on these reefing forums it might help them not feel so alone. Not saying that they would always have to post all of their content there all the time, but just as a discussion where they can meet each other.
i'm not for separating either, but that might help them feel more at home if they could see that they are not the only women on the boards.

 

[susan ingram]

Since women seem to be so few and far between on these reefing forums it might help them not feel so alone. Not saying that they would always have to post all of their content there all the time, but just as a discussion where they can meet each other.
i'm not for separating either, but that might help them feel more at home if they could see that they are not the only women on the boards.

I think even a badge would be cool. It would totally defeat the purpose of being here if we only posted there.

 

[scdigby]

How cool would it be (or not be) to have a forum dedicated to women/girls in the hobby?? Just a thought...

It would be very cool! i like this idea... However, would men be excluded from posting in the women's forum?
Yikes! i didn't mean to make it sound like we're talking about a restroom. :p

 

[samnaz]

I want to love the idea but here’s the thing, there are not many women in the hobby (duh) and I’m afraid a forum dedicated specifically to women would be much less active. Which isn’t a bad thing necessarily. When I have questions or need advice I couldn't care less how you identify yourself, so I guess I don’t see the benefit in that regard. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for it, I think it’s always great to see other ladies in the hobby and know you’re not alone.

 

[susan ingram]

It would be very cool! i like this idea... However, would men be excluded from posting in the women's forum?

NOT AT ALL!! I guess what got me thinking about this was that I am almost done with installing a 180 in my living room wall. I did everything but lifting the header into place my self, which included removing a closet; framing a window/pass thru in a load bearing wall & installing new dry wall. I also built a custom stand for the tank.

When I tell folks about what I am doing they are usually shocked that I completed the work myself. I think seeing examples of this sort of thing empowers other women to do similar or even less complicated projects as well. Again, I am thinking a badge might be sufficient... just thinking out loud (and putting off finishing my syllabi).

 

[scdigby]

I want to love the idea but here’s the thing, there are not many women in the hobby (duh) and I’m afraid a forum dedicated specifically to women would be much less active. Which isn’t a bad thing necessarily. When I have questions or need advice I couldn't care less how you identify yourself, so I guess I don’t see the benefit in that regard. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for it, I think it’s always great to see other ladies in the hobby and know you’re not alone.

My two best friends in this hobby are women, and they left that "other" much larger forum, because men were aggressively coming onto them, and it made them uncomfortable, so now they don't go anywhere near forums like these out of fear of being harassed just for being female. i don't see that type of nonsense happening here, and if i could convince them to join then having a place for them to meet, chat and hang out might not be a bad idea. Plus, it probably wouldn't take them long to see that the males on R2R are not like that.

 

[scdigby]

NOT AT ALL!! I guess what got me thinking about this was that I am almost done with installing a 180 in my living room wall. I did everything but lifting the header into place my self, which included removing a closet; framing a window/pass thru in a load bearing wall & installing new dry wall. I also built a custom stand for the tank.

When I tell folks about what I am doing they are usually shocked that I completed the work myself. I think seeing examples of this sort of thing empowers other women to do similar or even less complicated projects as well. Again, I am thinking a badge might be sufficient... just thinking out loud (and putting off finishing my syllabi).

i'm sorry... i kind of meant that as a joke.

 

[scdigby]

i like this idea!!!!

Go for it!!!

 

[susan ingram]

My two best friends in this hobby are women, and they left that "other" much larger forum, because men were aggressively coming onto them, and it made them uncomfortable, so now they don't go anywhere near forums like these out of fear of being harassed just for being female. i don't see that type of nonsense happening here, and if i could convince them to join then having a place for them to meet, chat and hang out might not be a bad idea. Plus, it probably wouldn't take them long to see that the males on R2R are not like that.

I agree.. R2R is great about that and that's a big reason I joined as a supporting member. This is a great community@@@!!!!

 

[susan ingram]

i'm sorry... i kind of meant that as a joke.

My Bad :)

 

[Wee Mad Arthur]

Hello, I am Wee Mad Arthur. I have man bits and a man brain. I think that if you had a section for women to hang out with each other that allowing people in like myself would defeat the object of it. It would be a shame if it impacted on your contribution to the rest of the forum though. I learn stuff all the time on here but don’t pay attention to the persons gender who said it.

 

[ichthyogeek]

I think a forum for female identifying members would be great! I wonder if it would be worth a separate thread about LGBTQ+ reefers or POC reefers...

Like Susan said, it's less about making a "separate space" and more about just making sure there is a space, which is applicable to most groups that tend to be put on the sidelines. And I think it could be a good way to just make sure that people that you don't typically see in the reef hobby feel comfortable knowing that they're welcomed into the forum. And really, it's up to the leaders of the specific forum to decide "hey, this is something I do/do not want to open up to the rest of the forum."

 

[fishguy242]

i would venture to guess 60/40?? i think i talk with more ladies than men i think and not by choice,just how it is,"shoulder shrug"

 

[susan ingram]

i would venture to guess 60/40?? i think i talk with more ladies than men i think and not by choice,just how it is,"shoulder shrug"

That's cuz your are so cool FishGuy!!