Good article indeed. It reminds me of why I don't post much at a paddling forum I read that is heavily male-dominated. They have a friendly, welcoming tone and I can't really describe why I feel out of place, but there is something very male-centric and gung ho about all the discussions that doesn't make me want to say anything. They go off on tangents about technical details very fast, and boast about things they have accomplished in that sort of "battle survivor" way. They have actually asked sometimes why so few women post to the board. I haven't had the heart to tell them that it's because they, well, don't really listen much.

On the other hand I get on very well with men both as cycling, climbing and paddling companions, and I react in quite a "male" manner in many stressful situations. But in teaching situations I think gender separation certainly can be justified.