[Molten]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

EXACTLY! Its already been said several times, but the dynamic with boys around is just SO much different. I've witnessed the strongest & most empowered girls back off or walk away from technical roles on a co-ed team because the boys would dismiss them or shove them aside. And often no amount of mentoring or even punishment will bring this dynamic back in balance. All-girls teams can be a way to allow those girls to stretch their wings as you say!

My question is why the teams must be separated based on gender? Lets say a school has 2 teams, one historically all-boy and the other historically all-girl. Had I gone to this school, I would have probably fit in better with the all-girl team with respect to prior technical skills. I never learned machining or welding in high school because there were other guys that already could and were eager and waiting. Had I been on a team that had forced me to(as has been suggested the advantage of an all-girls team it) I would have learned these valuable skills. I completely agree with the notion that there could be room for 2 teams in the right area. One that has prior experience and is more assertive, and others that are more passive or lack the experience. I completely reject the notion that they should be separated on gender lines alone. That is where we are having a disagreement. Historical gender lines are becoming more and more fuzzy(which is good), as these lines blur we are going to really going to need a better way of sorting then gender.

In short, I completely agree that people without experience or that are perhaps more passive can benefit from being on a team without the more outright and experienced. I just disagree that this is always as simple as girl/boy. I've known girls that in my prior example would have fit in better with the all-boy team and I personally would have fit in better with the all-girl team. The line just isn't that clear anymore.

Jason