It's a 'Man's World'

I once had a job as web designer for a man who actually once said to a colleague (another white male, by the way) in my presence: "It's a man's world and most women in business want to be men, in my experience." My reply was this: "You can call it a 'man's world' if you like, as long as you take responsiblitiy for it and all the poverty, crime and corruption that the world is today." I don't work for that man today.

There was an interesting AP article out today that seemed important enough to get me to stop working on client's projects (in other words, stop the clock and quit making money) and break my New Year's silence.

The Census Bureau released a report announcing that 28 percent of all private companies (as opposed to those with publicly traded stocks) were owned by women in 2002 - an increase of 20% from 1997. That's TWICE the growth rate as the national average for all private businesses.

SO?!?

Well, in the first place, CD WebMaker is one of those statistics, which always picques my interest.

Secondly, empathy, The article quoted several spokeswomen from national organizations and private companies who lamented over the inequalities suffered by women-owned businesses. I feel their pain. TRUE STORY: My company bought a vehicle in August. I, being the professional I am, had all my paperwork neatly organized and complete. When I went to the county Clerk and Recorder's office to register the vehicle, the woman assisting me said, and I quote: "My, you're very organized, you'd make a good secretary." Unbelievable. It's not just the mens attitudes towards women, it's my sisters' attitudes as well.

The article goes on to report women-owned businesses landed fewer than 3 percent of federal contracts and about 4 percent of corporate contracts last year. Granted, women are overwhelmingly in the minority when it comes to decision-making positions in corporate America, of course, but the bias is unacceptable and illogical. The government's bias is far worse because I pay as much tax as any male-owned business, although not surprising considering the current administration and their desire to make us all Ward and June clones.

The question raised by the article is why? Does this "man's world" distrust, dislike or fear us?

What do you think?