[Alex3917]

While there are a number of telling studies and statistics relating to gender issues, I think there is enough missing information that it isn't really possible to say much of anything intelligent on the subject. Given that we literally can't even tell the difference between a mental illness and a physical illness much of the time, I don't think science is ready to put a number on the percentage of the entrepreneurship gender gap that's attributable to sexism. For all we know it could be due to social factors or biological factors that are so non-obvious that no one has even thought of them yet.

[crux_]

Statistics and studies will tell you information about the source of a gender gap.

However, things like:

* porn passed around chatrooms

* rape jokes around the water cooler

* comments on women's attractiveness every time one leaves the room, or every time a photo is posted online.

* etc

don't really need statistics, do they?

[Alex3917]

"don't really need statistics, do they?"

I know plenty of women who would have no problem with any of the above. These things happen at some startups, don't happen at others, some women wouldn't want a workplace like this, others would enjoy it. And this is just one of many, many factors. Again, without more information you can't really say anything intelligent.

[crux_]

If your definition of "sexism" is something that all women would have a problem with, then by your definition there's no such thing as sexism anyway.

[steveklabnik]

I know plenty of women that look at porn, one female friend continually makes jokes about raping me, and if you don't think that women talk about men when they're not around...

Not that I totally disagree with you, and most of my peer group is under 30. Just saying.

[crux_]

> I know plenty of women that look at porn, one female friend continually makes jokes about raping me, and if you don't think that women talk about men when they're not around...

Note: I'm talking about in professional settings.

p.s.: watch out for your friend. ;)

[steveklabnik]

While you're right that this isn't in a professional setting, I've also seen plenty of shenanigans on the job, too... admittedly, this has a lot to do with the individuals and the culture.