Just a reeeeeaaaally stupid question

[ShinningStar_13]

I am just very curious, why does it seem that there are so many more women/girls involved in wicca/pagan/druid type religions than men?

[Sibylle]

Number one: there are no stupid questions, there are only stupid answers! ;)

Besides, it is a very valid question. And I don't think anyone can really "know" the answer, obviously one would have to know the minds and motives of thousands of people, nevermind hidden motives that they might not even be aware of themselves...

What seems plausible to me is that paganism appeals to women because it is one of the few religions (or spiritual concepts, if you prefer not to call it a religion) that honour female deities and generally worship the female principle, and not putting it below the male in rank. I mean, how many of the world religions do that?

And that doesn't mean that men prefer women to be discriminated against... it just means that they are less confronted with that discrimination than women, and while they might think it's unfair and equality should be the standard, they just don't have the same level of pressure - of mental trauma, if you like - in their OWN experience to look for alternatives.

Some still do. And that could be because most pagan beliefs offer a wonderful and liberating alternative to men as well... a concept of masculinity that is free from domination, "power over", and the silly expectation that men have to be strong, secure, and ready to "perform" at all times.

Just a few thoughts...

Hugs!!

[Shanti]

I know more men that are pagan than women. If you look at the sex ratio on forums, I believe there are usually more women because men are less likely to be interested in communication, not all men, just many are less communitive, in my opinion and observations.

[docdoo]

Number one: there are no stupid questions, there are only stupid answers! ;)

Besides, it is a very valid question. And I don't think anyone can really "know" the answer, obviously one would have to know the minds and motives of thousands of people, nevermind hidden motives that they might not even be aware of themselves...

What seems plausible to me is that Peopleism appeals to women because it is one of the few religions (or spiritual concepts, if you prefer not to call it a religion) that honour female deities and generally worship the female principle, and not putting it below the male in rank. I mean, how many of the world religions do that?

And that doesn't mean that men prefer women to be discriminated against... it just means that they are less confronted with that discrimination than women, and while they might think it's unfair and equality should be the standard, they just don't have the same level of pressure - of mental trauma, if you like - in their OWN experience to look for alternatives.

Some still do. And that could be because most People beliefs offer a wonderful and liberating alternative to men as well... a concept of masculinity that is free from domination, "power over", and the silly expectation that men have to be strong, secure, and ready to "perform" at all times.

Just a few thoughts...

Hugs!!


Very well said!!!

[RubyRose]

I think Hag Stella pretty much said it all, but I will say this, at least it seems to be true in my family.

In a general sense, men don't seem to be overly religious, or at least the men that I know, aren't all that religious, in anyway shape or form, Religion as a whole seems to appeal to Female's more, I guess because they have something that they can control then, to believe or not to believe ... if that makes any sense what-so-ever.

[frigga]

The Pagan group that I belong to actually tends to have more men at one time than women, and the "study" I group I meet with is split evenly down the middle for the most part. I agree with Shanti in that we women just tend to be a bit more chatty and want more interaction than men. This is obvious when our groups get together and though we may at times be outnumbered by the men, the women are doing all the talking!!! 8O

[Druchii]

I am just very curious, why does it seem that there are so many more women/girls involved in wicca/pagan/druid type religions than men?

Because some of us like wearing women's clothing from time to time. :D :lol:

[RubyRose]

Because some of us like wearing women's clothing from time to time. :D :lol:

:lol: eh okay ...

[Faeawyn]

I agree .....men are less likely to find forums like this to discuss their religious beliefs. Women have a deeper need to commune with others....to socialize and discuss things.

[Imbrium]

I agree .....men are less likely to find forums like this to discuss their religious beliefs. Women have a deeper need to commune with others....to socialize and discuss things.
I think Faeawyn nailed it. And also,...you've heard the way men socialize. Can you imagine a bunch of guys having deep religious conversation over a game of Football?....OH I can just imagine........

"Hey Gary! Will you come to my circle this evening? We're going to commune with some nature spirits, and then throw around a Gardenarian ritual or two. After that we'll head out to a awsome monster truck ralley!..........What? Oh, cakes and ale? Of course. It's Budwieser!"


Heh, heh...

I'm just kidding, o'course. My father runs around in a kilt most of the time anyway.

[Gareth]

My personal opinion.

More than likely it has to do with accepting the Goddess.
Most religions only see God or Allah and refer to them as HE!!

I know with wicca it's an equal balance between the God and Goddess.
Not so with Christians or Catholics and what not.

It would just be easier for men to accpet God and not the Goddess.

Wait, what am I saying?!?
Druchii told you the truth!! :D

[DonovanJoseph]

i think everyone is right so far! coming from a soon-to-be teen GUY wiccan, most of the books i've read have been geared more towards girls than guys, which i dont blame the authors though. i mean, the general idea of witches and wiccans is chicks thanks to hollywood and oprah! lol! the whole guy-witch/wiccan idea maybe a lil odd to most guys b/c alot of ppl i've talked to seem to have the general idea that its a chicks religion! lol! just my 2 cents, dont want to get to into it rite now, realllly tired but cant sleep...ever have that feeling? grrr :collapse:

[fay]

aw baby! better get some sleep then :lol:

[QUOTE=Imbrium]"Hey Gary! Will you come to my circle this evening? We're going to commune with some nature spirits, and then throw around a Gardenarian ritual or two. After that we'll head out to a awsome monster truck ralley!..........What? Oh, cakes and ale? Of course. It's Budwieser!"
[QUOTE]

ROTFL!!!!! that would be sooooo funny!
i think that some authors writings are geared more toward females as those are the people who buy the most books. but who knows! its probably one more thing thats just not fair, so the best thing to do is to have a moan and then just forget about it! :nyah:
blessed be

[Faeawyn]

i think everyone is right so far! coming from a soon-to-be teen GUY wiccan,
ummmm....soon to be a teen....or soon to be a GUY????? :rotfl: :rotfl:

[charmedkisses1]

It seems more feminist to me. I'm not pagan, so I don't know.

[charmedkisses1]

I know with wicca it's an equal balance between the God and Goddess.
Not so with Christians or Catholics and what not.

It would just be easier for men to accpet God and not the Goddess.

Wait, what am I saying?!?
Druchii told you the truth!! :D


Not really. From what I've seen here and home, most people don't have equal God and Goddess ideas.

[Chibi-Fallon]

One thing I've always found odd about the amount of women in Paganism is the amount of pictures of naked ladies. Everytime you turn around someone is doing some sort of drawing/other sort artwork of naked Goddesses. I don't get it.
Most of you are straight, draw some naked men.
Not that I'm complaining. :p
I just don't get it. Although you think that would draw more guys to Paganism.

[DebLipp]

The ratio is very close. Scholars who have studied Neopaganism find that women are 55–60%, a majority, to be sure, but not overwhelming. Much of that majority is made up of women who overlap with the women's spirituality movement, which, being exclusively female, will naturally skew the statistics. That is, if mixed-gender Paganism was a flat 50-50, then the existence of women-only Paganism, all by itself, would account for at least some of the difference.

Beyond that, I'd point out what every bookseller and librarian knows: Women read more books than men do. Since ours is a religion primarily of conversion, and there isn't a church on every corner, books are a primary "recruitment" method for Paganism, and that will cause more women than men to hear about us.

[Veritas]

Because some of us like wearing women's clothing from time to time. :D :lol:
I couldnt agree more:smileroll.

I feel so freeeeeeeeeee.:uhhuhuh:

[Galaxia]

Ω

[DebLipp]

This is also the same with the number of women in the world as compared to men. (Not same percent but same idea.) Plus, women tend to be more social as compared to men.

Well, the number of women in the world is only around 51%, not a huge difference. Where the difference is significant is among the elderly; men die sooner, so in the over-70 group, women are a very visible majority.

I don't think the social thing is a factor; most Pagans are solitary.

[DonovanJoseph]

ummmm....soon to be a teen....or soon to be a GUY????? :rotfl: :rotfl:

hey now fae! what do ya mean by THAT?! i AM a teen already! 15 and almost a half...but im a guy too! lmao! always a joy reading your lil comments! you crack me up fae! :drinking:

[sincerebliss]

Here's a link that may be helpful!
http://www.pfpc.ca/en/paganism/wicca/