Internet - Cybersex and the Online Gender Gap :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Cybersex and the Online Gender Gap    Introduction of a New Concept Sex. This is one of the most commonly discussed topics face-to-face and online that stirs up controversy. The introduction of the Internet and its mass appeal and use has only kindled the flame of the ever-burning fire of the controversy of sex related material and the ever-present gender battle between men and women. Victor J. Vitanza’s Cyberreader contains a section entitled â€Å"Sexual Politics† that explores the issues of computers and sex, and the gender gap in the cyber world between men, women, and computers. After viewing these materials, I would like to discuss the behavior patterns of men and women when it comes to talking and learning about computers, the stereotypes with computers, and sex in the virtual/cyber world. Men and women are capable of learning the same subject matter, but apparently neither gender wants to admit or state the obvious. The genders separate themselves in the computer/cyber world like they do in the real world. The predetermined stereotypes and prejudices that began with the invention of the computer and Internet are still the standards we hold today; men dominate the computer/cyber world. Another log on the fire of the gender battle is sex and the Internet. The behaviors displayed by men and women both bring the two genders together and split them apart. Gender shouldn’t matter online because it can be hidden in the sense that screen names don’t always hold a gender related characteristic. The Gender Gap Computers and everything that relates to them has always been perceived as â€Å"a man’s job† or a male dominated field. This so called gender gap got its roots from this misconception, and the following essays give some insightful information to help clear up these misunderstandings in the computer/cyber/virtual world. According to Barbara Kantrowitz the gender gap begins at an early age when children begin learning about computers. â€Å"Girls get subtle messages--from society if not their parents--that they should keep their hands clean and play with their dolls. Too often, they’re discouraged from taking science and math†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Kantrowitz, 177) Kantrowitz goes on to discuss how around the fifth grade these subtle little messages kick in with girls because computers are â€Å"not quite feminine topics†, so girls don’t dive into the computer world like boys do.