“Feminized” SNS
Thursday, October 8, 2009 by Anonymous
When I typed social network and women in search engine, there are so many evidences show the significance of women in online community. One article grabbed my attention; it states that communication, information and gossip are most popular interests among women. According to the director of research for Ofcom, James Thickett, He mentioned "Young women are finally finding content relevant to them on the Internet. Social networking is driving a lot of usage; websites like Facebook and Bebo have a higher female profile."
From this research, it gives people a sense that women play main role in social networking sites. This new trend overthrows people’s older perception of gender divides.
In comparison, an argument in course reader is less convincing. “The lack of female engagement in this sphere matters because participating in complex digital play is a predictor of confidence in and competence with digital technology”(aauw 2000), It is true that the participating in digital play depends on one’s confidence; however, I don’t think gender difference is the cause for it. As just about everyone knows by now; young girls play dolls, young boys play toy cars. This is possibly the most common stereotype for men and women. The gender difference may cause distinctive hobbies, but it is only partially true.
In my opinion, men and women use digital technology for different purposes. Despite people’s deep rooted understanding of gender difference, People are eager to explore and share in the world of internet. The key is finding and following the internet service that designed for everyone. Therefore, when it comes to socializing, many female are able to engage and create online. SNS is an integral part of life, it is hardly surprising that women expended large amount of time online: poking, sharing, and caring. Apart from traditional ways of socializing, SNS make women’s lives fuller. Although these sites are designed for everyone, they become feminized.
Reference:
Elena Bertozzi,“You Play Like a Girl!” Cross Gender Competition and the Uneven Playing Field.Multimedia Digital Arts University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
Dan Sabbagh and Rhys Blakely.Move over geeks, women are top web usershttp://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article2310548.ece
From this research, it gives people a sense that women play main role in social networking sites. This new trend overthrows people’s older perception of gender divides.
In comparison, an argument in course reader is less convincing. “The lack of female engagement in this sphere matters because participating in complex digital play is a predictor of confidence in and competence with digital technology”(aauw 2000), It is true that the participating in digital play depends on one’s confidence; however, I don’t think gender difference is the cause for it. As just about everyone knows by now; young girls play dolls, young boys play toy cars. This is possibly the most common stereotype for men and women. The gender difference may cause distinctive hobbies, but it is only partially true.
In my opinion, men and women use digital technology for different purposes. Despite people’s deep rooted understanding of gender difference, People are eager to explore and share in the world of internet. The key is finding and following the internet service that designed for everyone. Therefore, when it comes to socializing, many female are able to engage and create online. SNS is an integral part of life, it is hardly surprising that women expended large amount of time online: poking, sharing, and caring. Apart from traditional ways of socializing, SNS make women’s lives fuller. Although these sites are designed for everyone, they become feminized.
Reference:
Elena Bertozzi,“You Play Like a Girl!” Cross Gender Competition and the Uneven Playing Field.Multimedia Digital Arts University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
Dan Sabbagh and Rhys Blakely.Move over geeks, women are top web usershttp://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article2310548.ece