Sign this petition to allow girls in robotics! (at Timmins Public library)!

[Karthik]

This petition has generated a lot of attention in the mainstream media. Here's a link to an article on the Cosmopolitan website.

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics...1440_203830209

Great job by everyone here helping spread the word in the petition's early stages.

[gblake]

Karthik - Without hearing more from the program's planners, I don't disagree with or applaud the change in the library's program.

The Cosmo article does have a large audience, but to me it also seems rather self-serving, in a specious, echo chamber, sound bite sort of way.

[Chinmay]

Really glad she was able to get into the program and that girls are now able to participate.

The best analogy I've heard for this kind of situation that Madison is describing (for anyone asking why I don't sign petitions against girls only programs) is: "In Mario Cart, you don't get Blue Shells or Bullets when you're already in First Place"

[Brandon Zalinsky]

Originally Posted by Madison

Taking action to correct that impact is a moral imperative; claims about discrimination against boys, in this area, are ridiculous on their face and represent a fundamental lack of awareness of the benefit, as a man, this culture provides you.

It's incredibly unfortunate how often legitimate points in discussions like this are met with some variant of "check your privledge!!!". How would your response differ if that was posted anonymously?

All that matters is that both boys and girls get an equal oppourtunity, with reasonably close to equal effort, to explore STEM careers. If this requires specifically gender-targeted programs, I am perfectly fine with that- it just has to be consistent. It is a single boys-only program in a province where there are, for example, over 200 FLL teams. Therefore, by my estimation, there are other opportunities closeby. If you are against some one-gender programs but not others, you are not being part of the solution.

I just want consistency and more information about this situation.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Brandon Zalinsky

It's incredibly unfortunate how often legitimate points in discussions like this are met with some variant of "check your privledge!!!". How would your response differ if that was posted anonymously?

My response wouldn't change because the argument you present comes from a privileged point of view.

All that matters is that both boys and girls get an equal oppourtunity, with reasonably close to equal effort, to explore STEM careers. If this requires specifically gender-targeted programs, I am perfectly fine with that- it just has to be consistent. It is a single boys-only program in a province where there are, for example, over 200 FLL teams. Therefore, by my estimation, there are other opportunities closeby. If you are against some one-gender programs but not others, you are not being part of the solution.

Girls are not getting an equal opportunity to pursue STEM-related topics. Consequently, additional effort is required to correct our course.

A sleepy driver lets their car drift slowly toward the side of the road until they are awoken by a rumble strip. The driver is now aware there's a problem. A slow course correction -- one given equal effort to the drift that led them off course in the first place -- leads to disaster. Swift, immediate action is required.

There is a problem getting girls interested in STEM. Swift, immediate action is required. Continuing to stay the course leads to disaster.

[MechEng83]

Originally Posted by Madison

A sleepy driver lets their car drift slowly toward the side of the road until they are awoken by a rumble strip. The driver is now aware there's a problem. A slow course correction -- one given equal effort to the drift that led them off course in the first place -- leads to disaster. Swift, immediate action is required.

And sudden knee-jerk course correction leads to rolling the car over, leading to disaster.

No one (I've seen here) is saying there isn't an existing problem with the participation of girls in STEM. No one is seriously advocating we eliminate girl-targeted STEM activities. We disagree about the best way to make things fair and equitable (which consequently are charged words that are ambiguous in their interpretation)

Lastly, I'll leave this here