Gender and Age of Zoochatters

Gender and Age

  • Total voters
    344
  • Poll closed .
Zoo Visitor said:
It is disappointing to hear that keepers are poorly paid. Every single one I have observed at any zoo works very hard. In addition, their love for the animals in their charge shows in everything they do.

This is just a thought, but I am wondering if the increase in the percentage of female keepers is also partially due to the fact that most zoos now expect keepers to be more friendly with visitors and to teach as part of their job. The perception might be that young women are more comfortable talking to families with young children, and even that visitors with young children prefer having someone who is more like an elementary school teacher do the presentations and answer questions.

I am just thinking this since it has always seemed that most elementary school teachers are women.

I am not stating an opinion on this - just wondering if it might be a factor.
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Nice thought, but that would suggest a bias from management to employ females globally (well in the western world at least). Maybe a rise of feminism through the zoo-ranks?

You are correct in some regards when comparing the role of teachers to keepers. Add in nurses and you have three over-worked and underpaid roles largely filled by women. I can only think that the general changing trend in gender stems from the historical role that men dominated the heavy, dirty jobs (not proper for a woman?). But with changes in zoo husbandry and H & S, it has allowed women to take on this career path more easily. The flip side is that men are probably not as attracted to the position due to the poor wage, which has been out of step with the other physically demanding manual jobs.

You are not the only one to commiserate about the lowly wages for zookeepers. Just talk to any keeper about it.
 
These days in this politically correct world, I would be too old to ask this question. I was surprised when I asked the question about female members of Zoochat a few months ago, I wasn't accused of being a chauvinist. Luckily I presume, our lady members have more sense.....
 
Female, 46

Was wondering if the poll results are more indicative of the fact that teenage boys spend more time on their computers than the rest of us? :)
 
Female - 21

I am really suprised with the results of this poll, I thought there would be more young girls on here!! With regards to the females in the industry debate my university course is approx. 50/50, guys and girls.
 
Rhiannon23 said:
Was wondering if the poll results are more indicative of the fact that teenage boys spend more time on their computers than the rest of us? :)
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o.O snap!
I wouldn't say just guys, girls spend quite a lot of time as well on the computer..... for other reasons say like commenting on facebook all the time or uploading pictures. ( not being sexist or anything)
 
oooh - so far on this thread I am the youngest girl - at 21 :D

None of the 'under 20 girls' have introduced themselves!

That won't last long though...
 
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