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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Girls into Cyber

13 replies

MargaretAnjou · 25/10/2021 09:28

Really disappointed to see that the Government sponsored scheme to attract girls into Cyber security is open to those who identify as female. Females are massively under represented in this area with interest in tech dropping off at the age range the competition is aimed at.

If they want to increase diversity as a whole, then do that, but this is specifically aimed at getting females into cyber. With limited places in teams, girls may miss out.

OP posts:
ArabellaScott · 25/10/2021 09:30

Yes, we can see so much of the work that has been painstakingly argued and fought for over the past 50 years unravel with this. It's very disheartening.

ArabellaScott · 25/10/2021 09:31

Is it this, OP? cybergirlsfirst.com/

Original poster
MargaretAnjou · 25/10/2021 09:32

Yes

OP posts:
JellySaurus · 25/10/2021 09:40

They run 3 or 4 times as many of these courses for girls than for boys. Ds is desperate to get onto one of them, but he's too honest to work the system.

NecessaryScene · 25/10/2021 09:44

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PearlAsylum · 25/10/2021 09:46

@JellySaurus

They run 3 or 4 times as many of these courses for girls than for boys. Ds is desperate to get onto one of them, but he's too honest to work the system.
Mine too - I understand why but it was so frustrating trying to enrol DS.

It's disappointing that boys who identify as girls can access the course. I do think the girls courses should have been advertised more widely (via Computing teachers, maybe?) as there are always spaces left on them, and I'm sure there are plenty of girls out there who would enjoy it.

Original poster
MargaretAnjou · 25/10/2021 09:55

Have a look at the Cyber Security Challenge. Been a while since Iooked at that but should have lots of good things there for all. If your sons are interested in cyber, it really is a sector currently open to them. You have to pay, but Hack the Box is good too.

But there is a significant lack of females and we do need to encourage them. The culture needs adapting. For many females in the sector, it can be difficult.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 25/10/2021 09:55

@JellySaurus

They run 3 or 4 times as many of these courses for girls than for boys. Ds is desperate to get onto one of them, but he's too honest to work the system.
Looking at the focus of the website, a boy who is desperate to get on a course doesn't actually need to go on one aimed at kindling interest in the area.

DD went on a Smallpeice course run with gchq and qinetic- (not specifically cyber, there was a bit of that and robotics type stuff). The girls were heavily outnumbered by boys. All through school, doing various tech/engineering competitions and activities, same thing. I'm sure you and your DS know this and understand why there are initiatives specifically aimed at girls!Smile

ErrolTheDragon · 25/10/2021 09:59

It strikes me that within the girls who should be the focus of these initiatives there may be quite a high proportion who are currently identifying as trans boys or nonbinary. Does this organisation specifically make them welcome? If not then they need challenging to do so.

ArabellaScott · 25/10/2021 10:18

@ErrolTheDragon

It strikes me that within the girls who should be the focus of these initiatives there may be quite a high proportion who are currently identifying as trans boys or nonbinary. Does this organisation specifically make them welcome? If not then they need challenging to do so.
Good point. That might be more of an issue than males ID'ing as female, if the stats on increased trans id-ing among girls are still rising at such a huge rate.
JellySaurus · 25/10/2021 11:21

I 100% understand the reasons behind encouraging and supporting girls into the field. I don't object to Smallpeice weighting the courses towards girls. I'm just pointing out the dishonesty behind their wording.

ErrolTheDragon · 25/10/2021 13:19

@JellySaurus

I 100% understand the reasons behind encouraging and supporting girls into the field. I don't object to Smallpeice weighting the courses towards girls. I'm just pointing out the dishonesty behind their wording.
Dishonesty in whose wording ? The Smallpeice course I mentioned wasn't deliberately weighted at all afaik, the result was it was male dominated. Do you mean the dishonesty of the cyber girls site allowing boys if they ID as trans? (but perhaps missing some of the girls)?
JellySaurus · 25/10/2021 15:57

Sorry, I may be mixing up Smallpeice and Cyberfirst. I have a houseful of computer geeks, some of whom have benefited from the courses through both organisations.

Yes, I do consider it dishonest to aim courses specifically at girls in order to help them withstand misogyny and harmful feminine stereotypes, yet allow some males to attend these courses despite the fact that they never had to, nor will ever have to, face the sex-specific challenges. It's even more dishonest to say that only some males can attend these girls' courses - honest males are not permitted on them.

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