Gender Stuff.

Once in a while, I stumble across gender-related stuff. Actually, I stumble across it rather frequently - but most of the time, I read it, possibly think a bit about it, and then that's it, even though it's a topic I find really interesting.

Most of the occasions when my attention is drawn to sex or gender differences are actually not when I read about it, but when we are bouldering, with most men being significantly taller than I am (thus giving them more reach) and having significantly more strength than I have (which also helps when climbing). In those cases, I sigh, try to deal with it (and try harder at the move), find a workaround that makes use of my rather good flexibility, or in some cases give up on that specific boulder problem.

Work-wise, I don't get much of gender issues in my own workspace. Archaeology is not a male-dominated discipline, and textiles and textile archaeology are rather female-dominated (though we do have a good number of men in the field, and that is a very good thing in my opinion). I've never felt as if I've been less valued or less accepted for my expertise due to being female in archaeology. I did have issues, though, in non-work-related things (bike shop people and car dealers are the two primary things that spring to mind).

I am really, really glad, from these relatively few experiences alone, that my work life is not really affected by such things - and that I don't have to invent a fake male coworker to make my life easier, or have to deal with sexism daily at work, or work hard at convincing clients that I am reliable, thus needing much more time for the same task.

And the thing is... this is still normal in so many spaces. Makes you wonder why?

Well. At least issues like this solve the question "Kirk or Picard?"

Looks like the "Kirk vs Picard" debate has finally been settled. pic.twitter.com/QQgWr1JlzS

— Јeff Үαuѕ (@foldedfish) 23. August 2017