MR sexist?

Sounds like a solution in search of a problem.

 

I don't care what the gender of the author is, a good article is a good article.  Half the time I don't even look at the author's name.

 

Rusty

Yeah I kinda think its like looking at a needlepoint magazine and saying that it is sexist and mostly female oriented and all.  While there are some of the opposite sex in each hobby... it is dominated by one!  

 

Sam, you may have answered your own question.

 

Women's knitting magazines probably have the same problem, and it isn't for want of trying.  

 

I run a tractor repair shop.  It's all guys.  I hate it.  Waddayagonnadoaboudit?

 

 

All MR railroad drawings should be of bald, expressionless, genderless stick figures.

Nothing say it better than the 2013 Roco catalog cover...maybe Lionel/ Mth should learn/ take example

 

 

I suddenly have the desire to buy tiny European model trains.

That's how I see it, Rusty, whether I'm on the editor end of things or the reader end.  I would certainly like to see more articles written for OGR by females, but the hard truth of the matter is that the males of the species still dominate in this hobby, and for reasons that are really not too hard to understand.

 

In my long years in the hobby, I've know a good number of women who are involved, and some who are truly exceptional modelers and rail enthusiasts.  They may not write for the magazines or participate on forums, but the same can be said for a whole lot of superb male hobbyists.

 

Many years ago I did a study of Lionel catalog covers to demonstrate how they often reflected changes in our society (usually on a delayed basis).  It was interesting to examine how and when the first girls appeared (and how they did or did not interact with the trains), when the first women appeared (and how they were depicted), when the first black child appeared, and so forth.  Interesting stuff!

 

But to get back to the topic:  MR is no more sexist than any other publication targeted to an audience comprised primarily of one gender or the other.  We all could do better, I suppose, but it is what it is and I'll be darned if I'm ever going to go out of my way to be politically correct it trying to cater to the wishes of one group of another or to achieve some kind of artificial balance.  Just ain't my style.

I think I understand what ROCO is doing there.  HO HO TT.  Nudge nudge wink wink.

Man - If that was O gauge I'd feel an attack of the 40' woman coming on!

Aww, C'mon now.  Remember how some guys reacted here when Taylor was doing MTH video's?

 

I rest my case.

 

Rusty

Heh heh, you said hot rod.

Nice to see something relevant to those interested in the people who are blessed with such a great hobby. It should be big and divergent enough to appeal to men, women, teens, the very elderly and the very young, and if it's going to survive and thrive in the age of the faceless, utilitarian, unromantic trains of today, we all need to encourage and promote it. It's what it is, yes, a male-dominated hobby, but when you break down the skillsets required for quality work, it's a pity more women aren't in it, skills they could excel in. 'Knuckledraggers' get in everyone's way...

Thoughtful

Hit send by accident. Best observation that I could come up with and you may not like it. You implied that showing photo of article contributor with wife is a positive. Might as well have a photo of him and his dog or some other possession. My ex is a published writer in education. Unless I actually helped write the book, why should I be on the jacket, or want to be for that matter. Sexism or even political correctism starts with the belief that something should be a certain way to be acceptable and those who disagree should not. Both are wrong because they unjustly try to get others to conform to subjective standards of what is acceptable.

Well said Virginian.  C'mon people, minds out of the gutter.  We can do better on this thread than what I read in tabloids front pages.

The responses of some here amply demonstrate why model railroaders are stereotyped as they frequently are.

Some folks just aren't interested in trains, women, men, girls or boys for that matter. Whats so hard to understand?

 

I have zero interest in golf, I respect those that love it. No magazine, golf show,or golf forum member influence, can change my mind.

 

Most women aren't interested in trains, and its not likely their tastes can be changed. Hats off to those women here on the forum that do like trains, their thoughts and ideas are interesting additions here on the forum.

 

Sometimes people just like what they like.

If there is a stereotype for a model railroader, the caricature usually includes the phrase "basement-dwelling" And according to sociologists. There is a long-standing stereotype of adults "playing with trains" as a feckless or immature activity, and it is likely that some people are deterred from participation in the hobby due to a fear of being characterized as such. It is a general goal of hobby participants to be seen as engaging in a serious and challenging pastime, and it's generally understood that as the public views the hobby in this light, its prestige will increase, and business for hobby suppliers will also increase.

Model railroading seems to be mostly white men. My daughter has a horse, likes her horse--and this seems to be mostly a female arena. Why is that? Who knows. Why are trains/horses  the way they are? I don't know. I go with the flow, as long as you don;t go mover the water fall.  

Lets all pretend we are engaging in a serious and challenging pastime and save all the LHS's. Bet that guy never wired a Command layout. LOL

Most women are also not interested in cars the same as men. They are more likely to select an automobile with better fuel economy or lowest maintenance cost for basic transportation rather than based on design, engineering, power or performance.   

  Yeah!

Norb, Where did you read that one? I thought most men want pickup trucks with whistle steam. The women I hang with want fast and style. With a good warranty. FMH

Perhaps you are refering to never married single, separated or divorced women.

I was refering to women with children since I have four married daughters and one wife.

Man if they did a cover like that can you imagine the politically correct firestorm that would unleash? Could you see the Lionel or MTH reps on The View explaining this one?

 

Jerry

If this forum has come down to stupid and pathetic threads like this one, God help us all.

 

TEX

Steve

What train in the ad?......I can't hardly see it?...yeah, I'm the guy who sees straight past the hot looking woman to see the car and comment nice curves..meaning the car.{well, usually...depends on the car I guess  }

 

It's no shock to me about the mag{s} or the hobby..the vast majority of perticipants are men...men who started as a child and grew "with" it, only to keep on doing it or to pass it along to their kids. Not too many women follow suit sadly- I welcome the ones that do and respect the ones that don't- how many of our wives "tolerate" the hobby but don't actively support it- like we do? Not enough, but I get that. My wife was happy on the back of the motorcycle...didn't want her own - she doesn't want her own old car but does help out with ideas how to make mine into something we like - but, she has comfiscated one lone Coke train as her own...I can't ask much more than that.

Rusty said it best. I personally think this is a silly thread and has nothing what so ever about three rail electric trains. Don

Agreed........

I agree with Rusty and Scale Rail.  The topic is silly and not related to 3-rail electric trains.  No one was in the gutter.  The silly nature of the topic promotes silly, funny and the variety of the replies given.  I don't read tabloid papers, but IMHO I don't think the thread will get any "better."  Matt 

Well it kinda started there....kinda.....

Yes we were ignored and of course, gender aside we are mostly molded by what we are exposed to at critical learning stages most boys were given math, and building toys, most girls more socially or art oriented.

She is very hot and the photo reminds me of a reverse King Kong!

Flash, if you drop the word train.......... oh I kid, I kid...

The rest of you thank you for your foolishness, and seriousness