Posted by socialdeviantjeff on February 13, 2004, at 18:27:21
In reply to What percentage of male vs. female posters?, posted by Phil on February 10, 2004, at 23:49:31
This is an interesting thread. I just thought I would put my 2 cents in here, FWIW.
This is just my opinion and is in no way a statement on the other guys in Babble or the world in general and is largely based on my own experience.
Because of the social stigma of mental ilness, men are far less likely to to seek help. Either you're a stable provider or you have no business living. Due to that, many men will suffer in silence or not seek help until the situation becomes a crisis. The old stereotype of being lost and refusing to ask for directions is a good example. My own situation is the classic waiting for a crisis.
I think this reflects in Pbabble. A lot of guys come and go. It's just the nature of the beast.
One of the things that keeps me here is the fact I'm anonymous. The only hard fact anyone here know abou me besides my "issues" is that my first name is Jeff. Or Social or whatever. While it is regrettable that I would never invite a fellow babbler to coffee down the street, the anonimity provides a "shield" that lets me be a lot more open than I would be in the real world.
Now, about a boy's only club? I think the concept is a nice one, but I have reservations. I also feel the same way about small town boards:
For one thing-to track a lot of posts over different boards can be quite confusing! Could also lead to cross-posting to elicit the most replies.
Then there is the exlusionary "elitist" factor.
On the other side of the coin, men and women do have unique physical and mental needs. That said, don't we all as individuals? If there was a males only board, would that lead to a board for every DSM diagnosis? Also, suppose a woman had the best reply to a male problem or vice-versa. Would that mean the person getting PCB'd (or otherwise corrected) for posting on the wrong Gender board?
I certainly don't mean to offend. If I did, I apoligize. After all, it wouldn't be the fist time I was a little off base.
poster:socialdeviantjeff
thread:311911
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040112/msgs/312974.html