[eranation]

Why? Because I know personally very talented women who want to, and are capable of learning web development, and the mere current ratio of males in the industry is intimidating them.

Web development is a profession, not (just) a hobby, and if women move away from it just due to the fact it's already a high ratio of males then it's a problem

[delinka]

Why do we not have the same goals for automotive mechanics? I don't personally know any women who'd want to be mechanics (but then neither do I know any women who want to be developers in any form), but I'm sure they exist. Are they also reluctant to start their dream job simply because of men? If so, that's a problem. (It also seems oddly sexist to me...)

[nmcfarl]

I’d actually guess that this is because we aren’t automotive mechanics.

I’d bet there is at least a small group of automotive mechanics that are interested in increasing diversity in their field.

[king_jester]

> Why do we not have the same goals for automotive mechanics?

A lot of industries that have issues attracting certain kinds of people don't have explicitly diversity goals as a part of their makeup. But that doesn't mean that people aren't trying to break into those industries and have a career there.

Keep in mind that the kind of work you do isn't just influenced by your hobbies and likes, but also by what is considered acceptable for a certain person based on gender/race/etc., stereotypes about kinds of work, and classism (among other things).

[delinka]

"...what is considered acceptable for a certain person..."

Then perhaps it is society that needs changing. But from the inside out. This patching from the outside in is never going to significantly affect the roots of the problem.

[king_jester]

Making sure people are represented and that we challenge and critically look at sexism and social attitudes towards things go hand in hand.