New Poll: women only

Joanie

It is very interesting and intriguing that there are so few women on this forum, and in bonsai in general. What is it that makes bonsai less of a draw for women?

Please, women, vote in this poll. Let us hear what you think!!

Joanie

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malhomme

Because of my 'wedding tackle' I didn't participate in the poll but felt like adding a comment.

Over half of our club is composed of women. In fact it was a women in 1957 that started our club. She still attends meetings.

Unfortunately, many of the women (perhaps because of their generation) allow the men to take the lead as "experts" on this or that. For my part as the program director, I actively encourage these ladies to take the lead. They are just as good, only modest about it. I feel that encouraging them to take the lead not only shakes things up, but allows them to grow as an artist and as a human being.

Kind regards,
Jim

Joanie

Jim, that is a very good reply, and a very commendable attitude.

So you think that they tend to step back because they prefer to, rather than because the men treat them differently?

Joanie

morea

Hello Joanie

This is a very nice poll , only I can"t give all the answers but are very
busy with the majority of men with the bonsai "s

I make bonsaipots and I am female .

The men with bonsai are tender , sweet and rough.
But the eye for beauty and feelings for beauty and how to get there
alway"s make me smile in my heart , to hear it , read and see it !!

I like talking and knowing men with bonsai ,
Yes , they have a certain sweetness that is adorable.
Good to be , so indeed why are there so few female in bonsai ?
Kind regards
Morea

agraham

Morea,

would you please tell my wife how adorable i am?

andy

RonMartin(deceased)

Your poll got me to thinking. Scary thing isn't it )
I went down my list of students and found that well more than half of them are females. And no I don't look like Robert Redford.
I seem to remember that when I deal with bonsai clubs the contact person is almost always female.
When I do workshops or a demo I always take pictures of those in attendance. On occasion I have posted those pictures to this forum.
I took a quick peak at some of them that are in my album and find that the ladies are more than well represented. I would again say more than half.
Could it be that they are too busy doing bonsai to set here at a computer all day and talk about doing bonsai. They are pretty smart creatures after all. )

Joanie

Morea, I know what you mean!!! There is something very appealing about a man who wants to replicate nature in miniature, rugged or gentle. Thank you for your reply!

Ron, that is very interesting!! Do you see the women taking a backseat when they get more advanced trees? You must be a very good teacher.

Joanie

Arnie

Joanie, I'm quiet partial to slipping into a little red off the shoulder number....does that make me eligible to vote?

malhomme

I have not observed women being treated differently than men, by men, in our club.

I think that, generally speaking, men can be more assertive and therefore tend to be "marked" as leaders or experts. This is an unfortunate but natural gender bias so I do my best to correct this by having the ladies deliver programs and praising their talents. Many of the male "experts" are old and tired and all too willing to let someone else lead for a while. I think that this helps everyone out.

Also, most of our members are older so we are dealing with generational issues with a few women as well. Some of the women in our club will "support" their husbands by remaining in the background. Again, my goal has been to draw them out, usually by spotlighting a talent that is complimentary to their husbands talent.

Maybe I'm just trying to undo socialization habits from years ago that I think are bad for the human spirit (and the club).

Cheers,
Jim