As someone with a lifelong existence in Network, Systems, or Security Administration (from the age of seventeen no less, I can say, unequivocally, that the bias against “different” (gender, race, etc.) is real and extremely disheartening.
IMHO, it comes from an “us vs them” philosophy that grew from “nerd culture” being “computers” then expanding outwards as the Internet exploded and it was suddenly acceptable to be a “geek”. Once the butt of jokes, now not - so that culture - which to that point had been mostly male, mostly western (here, anyway) became something to protect.
In the 90’s, I distinctly remember the “gang” of us making fun of the lone female tech support agent. I’d love to say I found something wrong with it back then, but I really didn’t - she “didn’t belong” and looking back I shake my head at my naivete on the matter. Even ten years later, I listened to subordinates discuss how “bad” female coders were - the difference was, I had come to recognize the toxicity of that culture (and the utter inaccuracy of it), grown up, and quickly put an end to that type of discrimination where I was directly able to.
That didn’t stop open disdain for our female CEO or, clearly, a different standard being set for her than our prior male one.
Twenty years on from joking about that female rep, I’ve worked for organizations that prioritize equality and tolerance, but more importantly discovered, learnt from, and mentored exceptional female admins, listened to their stories, and made it my own personal mission to remove the vestiges of that male-only culture wherever I can. I know I am not alone, but I also know that orgs with less enlightened managers perpetuate the stereotypes of two decades ago, and on behalf of those individuals who have yet to wake up - I’m sorry that this career path is so full of misogynistic nonsense - still. But yes, it is getting better as more enlightened management moves up the ranks, and I have no doubt female engineers and admins have a much greater chance of both finding employment in orgs that strive for equality, and in finding management much more sympathetic to discrimination and assault now than at any time in the past in our vocation. There’s so much more to do, but there is change about.
