Why aren't there more female directors?

[NeutralDrow]

Some science on the issue: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2741240/ and http://www.ehbonline.org/article/S1090-5138%2808%2900067-6/fulltext These both suggest a link between testosterone and increased risk-taking, and as a result of men having higher levels of testosterone it appears that men are more willing to take the risks required to enter these high-level fields. However, What I take from this is that if you believe you can create great works or even have an interest in the field, then make the attempt. If you think that sexism will stop your progress you could always work under a pseudonym, in my experience, good work will be recognised regardless of the artist.

There's a couple of problems with the comparison, though. One is that there's more factors to account for in this instance that aren't present in the financial risk studies, particularly since film-making is a creative field (you'll find fewer people going into directing solely to make money, or into investment banking based on artistic vision). The other is that it doesn't account for the lower disparity in directing fields outside Hollywood (indie and non-American fields).

Not saying the science is irrelevant, but it carries the necessary qualification of "what makes this area of directing different?" It could possibly be that Hollywood is simply a riskier way to break in, so comparatively more men attempt it, though I'd personally note the path of society and attribute more to the fact that Hollywood has been a boys' club for a while.

 

[Kevin McGechie]

Some science on the issue: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2741240/ and http://www.ehbonline.org/article/S1090-5138%2808%2900067-6/fulltext These both suggest a link between testosterone and increased risk-taking, and as a result of men having higher levels of testosterone it appears that men are more willing to take the risks required to enter these high-level fields. However, What I take from this is that if you believe you can create great works or even have an interest in the field, then make the attempt. If you think that sexism will stop your progress you could always work under a pseudonym, in my experience, good work will be recognised regardless of the artist.

There's a couple of problems with the comparison, though. One is that there's more factors to account for in this instance that aren't present in the financial risk studies, particularly since film-making is a creative field (you'll find fewer people going into directing solely to make money, or into investment banking based on artistic vision). The other is that it doesn't account for the lower disparity in directing fields outside Hollywood (indie and non-American fields).

Not saying the science is irrelevant, but it carries the necessary qualification of "what makes this area of directing different?" It could possibly be that Hollywood is simply a riskier way to break in, so comparatively more men attempt it, though I'd personally note the path of society and attribute more to the fact that Hollywood has been a boys' club for a while.

Perhaps this is why we see a higher proportion ow women in indie film making, where artistic expression tends to surmount the desire for profit. Sexual dimorphism could be used to explain this too as women are aften more empathic and socially oriented than men. We see this in the number of individuals diagnosed as psychopaths (men far more than women) I'd argue that this comparison is appropriate as current research suggests psychopathy is biological in nature rather than psychological. Again, this could explain the trend of more women being involved in social enterprises and charity work.

Taking what you've said into consideration I would suggest that the "boy's club" is even more exclusive than it appears to be. The mantra "It's who you know" has been maintained longer than this industry has even existed: The issue is far more complex than mere sexism and I am alarmed at the number of people using the fact that they belong to a minority group to gain sympathy.