Hi Carol,
From what I've seen of both men & women
I've been in contact with recently, some really like Wikipedia but when it comes down
to editing don't know where to start in that they have not got an idea in mind already
to start their editing from. They might also be perfectionists who feel they can't
contribute till they have some perfect idea.
For myself personally I tend to have these little 'inspirational' moments where
I'll be out or I'll be talking to someone and it will occur to me to see if the
Wikipedia entry is up to date or complete so for me it stems from from these moments. Now
I'm runnng Women4Wikipedia I have been struggling to juggle running the campaign and
editing Wikipedia! I have managed to add my first biography of a living person and some
other bits and pieces.
I think for people who are new to Wikipedia and decide to edit due to an issue they feel
strongly about, their fervour may be a double-edged sword. These people my be at most risk
of their experience not living up to their hopes in that their strong opinion might imply
that there are other people with equally strong opinions on the same topic on Wikipedia
and facing this while also learning the syntax and everything else can result in them
feeling overwhelmed.
The most common comment to me though is that women have just not thought to do it before.
These women don't cite any concerns about Wikipedia- one has to be informed about
Wikipedia to have heard of the reputation for conflict that has been doing the media
rounds. With a bit of help and support through learning the ropes, many women I talk to on
Twitter don't have a problem with the idea of editing Wikipedia and of course some
have alredy done so.
Just thought I'd add my feedback to the topic.
Rosie
http://women4wikipedia.net
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:15:28 -0500
From: carolmooredc(a)verizon.net
Subject: [Gendergap] What motivates women to edit??
To: Increasing female participation in Wikimedia projects
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Message-ID: <4D758330.1000904(a)verizon.net>
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What Motivates Women - especially to write and edit? I think finding
motivations many women share and tapping into those to encourage women
to start and keep editing is key to this project
I'm an atypical task oriented political organizing/writing maniac, so
I'm not the best judge :-) I know many women are busy with home duties
and myself have found the last 10 years that elder dog/new young dog
care and barter-for-rent-housekeeping certainly have taken up a lot of
my time.
So I know it must be more for women with husbands, kids, elderly
parents, etc. If I was working more than very part time (plus collecting
social security), I wouldn't have the time.
But for those who can squeeze in a few hours a week, what might be their
biggest kick/motivator for writing about topics of interest? If the
motivation is strong enough, even dealing with the male culture and/or
dominance problem is easier psychologically for those who inadvertently
or purposively venture into articles where lots of garrulous males hangout.
Since many women (overly?) motivated by ?selfless motives,? ?Women: make
the world a better and smarter place - edit Wikipedia!? Just a thought,
based on part of my own motivation.
Anyway, feel free to brainstorm on this topic more with your own
personal female motivation! :-)
Carol in DC