Are all girl FIRST team counterproductive to the philosophy of FIRST?

[Siri]

Originally Posted by erobo2520

All girl teams are not counterproductive to the mission of FIRST but it does not allow girls to develop the thicker skin they will need if they want to pursue a career in science and technology.

So I was on a co-ed team, but I'm not sure it influenced much of a gendered "thick skin" for me. Maybe I already had it, but most of what I learned was how to deal with people--lead them, work with them, inspire them--females and males alike. Did the guys bring something specifically guy-like to the team? Yeah, I think so, but I don't think it had an overwhelming effect on my ability to stand up as an honors ME major, lead in AFROTC, or work on rural engineering in developing countries. Pretty sure that was good mentors.


I'd be interested in hearing from the all-girls teams what benefits it's had and whether they feel they've been better inspired. It's an interesting consideration. Has anyone done both?

Originally Posted by erobo2520

...and handing one a jig saw does not come naturally to male mentors especially if they have daughters.

This I find a little odd. I've had a lot of men had me jig saws over the years and quite a few of them have a daughter. (One has 3, all of whom he's done the same to.) They seemed quite ok with it, to the point where it sometimes precedes "how do you use this?"
Is this issue more common than I think it is?


Jane: Unfortunately, I think one needs a thick skin to change a thick culture. ...But do I sense an IRI 2012 button project?