Guy or Gal?

Malibu Barbie tank.. hehe

LOL....how about a tank with a flower camo scheme?

I have known a few women who were interested in building airplane kits, however they wanted nothing to do with armor models. When asked why, they said "Tanks can't be pretty"...maybe that is the reason?

Baking is not a "Girl's" role at all. The vast majority of bakers (and chefs) are male. So are most tailors, for that matter. Gender role stereotypes are nasty! I myself can sew, knit and have done needle point (rug hooking actually, which is large scale needle point really).

GI Joes proved that boys could also play with dolls action figures. I had quite the collection back in the late 60s. Wish I still had them, in fact!

I think it is the toxic paints, or at least the stink of paint. When I said my wife sniffs at my modeling, I meant it literally!

QUOTE: Originally posted by trowlfazz I think it's strange that many women enjoy "crafts" but not modeling. It may be because of the apprehension of working with these 'toxic' substances-although used with caution they are safe. But the craft items women are interested in are just as valid as models maybe with less historical context. But still a skillfully painted cottage is still an impressive model.

Its not strange really, and I don't think it has so much to do with toxic stuff as it does with the centuries old gender role values, that say boys get toy guns and race cars while girls get dolls and other toys that foster their "maternal instincts".

What do most models depict? Hot cars or military subjects. Stereotypically "male" territory by the old gender role thinking.

Many crafts reflect much more benign, domestic, and ultimately, traditionally "female" roles.

I'm happy to share the modeling hobby with female modelers, more power to them I say!

I've tried my hand at a few of the more typically "female" hobbies and often enjoyed them:
Let's sse, I've tried needlepoint, macrame, sewing, baking.

I remember years back in primary school, we were doing a unit on the middle ages in our history class and were all encouraged to come up with something for a display.

We didn't have much money at home so we had to go with what was around, that meant an old 12" GI Joe figure and some scraps of quite fancy looking fabric from my mom's sewing supply. Ultimately my GI Joe turned into a very well dressed king or duke or whatever and I had learned something about sewing (did most of it myself!)

I got a lot of laughs and snickers from my male classmates (girls were still "icky" at that age) but the girls thought it was cool

Good point Trowlfazz. I think it's the perceived toxicity as well. My wife does papier mache which is nothing more than non-plastic based modeling! Yet she sniffs at my models, which I personally think that has more to do with the time and money I spend on my hobby, than subject matter.

I think it's strange that many women enjoy "crafts" but not modeling. It may be because of the apprehension of working with these 'toxic' substances-although used with caution they are safe. But the craft items women are interested in are just as valid as models maybe with less historical context. But still a skillfully painted cottage is still an impressive model.

I know there are "some" women modeling, they even post occasionally. Hopefully they will see this thread and vote! Though I'm willing to wager that there are more men doing needlepoint, than women building models!

Trowlfazz raises an interesting point. I work for a printing company with it's own designers. Until two months ago we had 50/50 split between women and men. Now it's 100% male. Mind you there are only 2 people in the whole department! However, both of them build models. One does WW2 dios exclusively, and the other will glue random bits of plastic together if necessary. There are 20 people working in the entire company and there are a total of 4 modelers, which I think is a rather high percentage for a company.

I'm surprised to not see more females in modeling. I work as a graphic designer/illustrator which is a field with about a 75% female presence. The jump to modeling seems logical but apparently not.

I'm with Tigerman on this, overwhelmingly male, but female modelers are making inroads.

It seems we are finally overcoming the old stereotype that things like models are "boy's toys" and that the ladies should stick to needle work and other related hobbies.

Looking back through FSM articles and "Readers galleries" segments. I seem to recall a two or three page article a few years back featuring three female modelers.

There was also the astounding articles about the late Michelle Choquette who made some increadible conversions, superdetailing and scratchbuilds. I have some memories of an article about her scratchbuilt 1/32 A-10 Warthog, that was before anyone had ever heard of Trumpeter!

I also seem to recall her converting Monogram's old 1/48 AV-8B Harrier into a two seat TAV-8B trainer version, no mean feat there.

There was also an article about how she dressed up the old ID Models 1/32 B-58 Hustler, a load of work and a butt kicking bare metal finish to top it off.

Another name I recall is Susan Atai who submitted some great shots of sci-fi figures (most noatble "Alien") to the reader gallery.

i've seen some reviews of models done by females. they do have the soft touch needed for the hobby

I'd say overwhelmingly male. Though I have seen a few females on here.