A question on gender (and hello)

[kukalakana]

This also doubles as a "hello" thread, as it is only my second post.

I am a little overwhelmed by the depth of knowledge that is going into some of what I read here, and as very much a novice, with a background mostly in folklore and mythology and a passing interest in related topics, I am not sure how much I can contribute. Particularly as I also admittedly still have trouble reading bulky paragraphs in detail directly from a computer screen.

I love the idea that Christopher O'Brien always puts forward about "trickster" figures being involved in paranormal activity. Particularly reading literary studies on Jung's theories as well as those of the Russian Formalists and Joseph Campbell -- all asserting on some level that there are repeated roles in folktales particularly which reflect their underlying themes as well as the collective psyches of the societies which create them.

Slightly related, perhaps: Trickster / Rogue characters like Loki, Hermes... Q... um, Jack Sparrow, &c. usually end up being among my favourites in literature!

(My mother and father are card-carrying members of the Australian Skeptics Society -- She once suggested that I should join as well, to which I responded that it sounded deathly boring. I would describe my attitude to this whole area as "skeptical but open".)

But now that's done, I have noticed something from listening to some recent paracast episodes (which I love, by the way -- I also write fantasy and sci-fi, and it's fascinating stuff.) *I could be wrong, but it seems that very few of those involved and mentioned in paranormal studies are women.* I am wondering: What are people's thoughts on this??

Is it true, do you think? And if so, is it because historically during the mid-20th century particularly, few women have been in professional roles?? Or is there some other reason perhaps?

Cheers, and Kia kaha...

 

[LeLapin]

Hello! I'm brand new here myself, and a woman. I've been listening to the Paracast for a while now, and have come to the same conclusion concerning gender. You really don't see many women in this field, but someone I definitely look up to as far as research capabilities is Leslie Kean. If I ever get into this seriously, I'd like to follow her lead.

I don't know if it's anything in the paranormal 'establishment', per se, but I have a feeling that maybe there's something about the subject that attracts men more? Or maybe they just feel more comfortable discussing it. I haven't come to any good conclusions.

 

[pixelsmith]

Hello! I'm brand new here myself, and a woman. I've been listening to the Paracast for a while now, and have come to the same conclusion concerning gender. You really don't see many women in this field, but someone I definitely look up to as far as research capabilities is Leslie Kean. If I ever get into this seriously, I'd like to follow her lead.

I don't know if it's anything in the paranormal 'establishment', per se, but I have a feeling that maybe there's something about the subject that attracts men more? Or maybe they just feel more comfortable discussing it. I haven't come to any good conclusions.

Welcome!

I tend to find more women interested in paranormal things... and more men interested in UFO/ET things. I think paranormal things are felt on a more emotional level and UFOs touch on a more mechanical level.

 

[LeLapin]

Welcome! I tend to find more women interested in paranormal things... and more men interested in UFO/ET things. I think paranormal things are felt on a more emotional level and UFOs touch on a more mechanical level.

Thank you for the welcome. That's a good point. When I think of ghosts in particular, I think of ladies from the 19th century holding seances and Sarah Winchester in her rambling house. There's a definite wistful atmosphere around looking into the 'afterlife.'

Unfortunately for me, I love looking into it all, so I'm bound to have a good headache by the end of the day.

 

[hak]

Men are so much better at looking into the dirty dusty corners to make sure they are safe, then us women come by and clean out the cob-webs... ... then the men come by and make them dirty again.
There are some female researchers..... but maybe historically, ufo is male territory.

 

[brado]

Women are smarter and and use their time more wisely

 

[kukalakana]

Men are so much better at looking into the dirty dusty corners to make sure they are safe, then us women come by and clean out the cob-webs... ... then the men come by and make them dirty again.
There are some female researchers..... but maybe historically, ufo is male territory.

LOL.

I am reminded at this point of a short story by Isaac Asimov: An alien visitor arrives with a message attached, which the scientists are having problems decrypting. So the army steps in, and eventually a high ranking military man convinces the gov't that the alien is most likely a threat. They blow it up just before the scientist comes back to say that they have translated the note, which reads: "Please take care of my baby."

Perhaps with a greater female involvement in research and interest in extraterrestrial encounters, the outcome may end up a little differently. Perhaps not. But I can certainly see how it could have to do with attraction to particular subject matter. You could possibly see the same thing in fandom circles -- seems that many of the people who spend their lives studying the tech-manuals of fictional ships might be inclined to be more interested in UFOs than ghosts.

 

[SoCalGNX]

I think there are pretty much equal amounts of women and men interested in true paranormal things. However, I find this site (and others) are a little more focused on the UFO/Interdimensional realms/Other things more in the arena of things involving flight, engineering, quantum physics etc. I would not say no women are interested in these things but I would say its traditionally more a male-dominated area. I accept things on this site being called "paranormal" because they do not have known explanations. But in general, I would not have placed them in with my understanding and interest in what I understand to be "paranormal".
And yes, I am female.

 

[tyder001]

Although I'm male I have very little interest in the nuts and bolts theory of spaceman spiff visiting earth. To me if there are visitors (and I don't believe we have evidence that there are) and they turn out to just be another Star Trek like humanoid such as a Romulan or a Vulcan then folks will go "wow" and then kind of get used to it. But, the acutal "Paranormal" meaning the unlimited mind or energy or multi verse is much more interesting place and if true more important.

I know I just opened myself up for the junior scientist who believe in ufo's brigade to get their panties in a wad. But it's still true. (imho)

 

[exo_doc]

In American culture, the acceptance of women in the sciences (not involving health, psychology, or something along those lines) has a long way to go. I graduated from Appalachian State University in 2004, and there was a noticable gap between male/female students in all my physics and astronomy classes, but not so in my math classes where it was about even.
And there were none in my geology classes. Which I thought was kind of strange, but all my Professors said very few women take any earth sciences classes.
A question to women: Is there something about physics or geology that doesn't interest most women?

 

[SoCalGNX]

Actually.....I had to take a science class (only one) for my degree and I chose geology. It was something I had some interest in and I enjoyed the class.

 

[jimp]

Women are a paranormal experience.

 

[kukalakana]

I've been accused on occasion of being moderately "abnormal", "pseudonormal", "quasinormal"... but never "paranormal". lol.

Edit: And Flying Saucers are what you get coming out of the kitchen when Missus discovers that Hubby has nicked her chocolates. Be warned, gentlemen!