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Effective software design: The role of men in d...

Effective software design: The role of men in debugging patriarchy in IT

Effective software design relies on integrating diverse perspectives throughout its development process. Research shows that teams with a neuro-diverse background excel in decision-making due to their ability to consider a wider range of ideas, foresee a greater variety of potential challenges, and develop more creative solutions. This becomes particularly clear in collaborative modelling for Domain-Driven Design. The inclusion of varied viewpoints enhances the ability of software models to address business problems effectively, increasing the likelihood of achieving significant product breakthroughs.

However, one social system significantly blocks the flow of development of these diverse perspectives: patriarchy. Patriarchy is a social construct where men predominantly hold power and exercise dominance in areas such as political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and property ownership. Feminists have been actively working to challenge and change this patriarchal system for the better. Despite these efforts, the system still favours men, maintaining their dominant status, and will not evolve without their active involvement. Additionally, patriarchy limits men as well, endorsing only traits traditionally seen as 'masculine' and disregarding those seen as 'feminine.' This raises the question: how do we start the process of eMANcipation, involve men in the movement towards feminism, and as a result, improve our software design practices?

Join me in this talk as I explore patriarchy and its significant effects on software design. Drawing from personal experiences, I will discuss how patriarchy affects men and argue that for genuine equality, men need to undergo changes too. I will demonstrate how incorporating Process Work and Deep Democracy into software design can bring about the necessary transformation. By adopting the idea of role fluidity, we can start breaking down the patriarchal system in software design, ensuring that every perspective is appreciated and nurtured. You will leave with a deeper understanding of how patriarchy influences software design and practical steps you can immediately apply to foster a shift towards a more inclusive environment.

Kenny Baas-Schwegler

May 16, 2024
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  1. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash Effective software

    design: The role of men in debugging patriarchy in IT Kenny Baas-Schwegler Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash
  2. @kenny_baas @[email protected] From the moment I could talk, I was

    ordered to listen Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash
  3. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Patriarchy Patriarchy is a social system in which

    positions of dominance and privilege are held by men. The term patriarchy is used both in anthropology to describe a family or clan controlled by the father or eldest male or group of males, and in feminist theory to describe a broader social structure in which men as a group dominate women and children. Patriarchy literally means "the rule of the father" coming from greek https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchy
  4. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Patriarchy Patriarchy is a social system in which

    positions of dominance and privilege are held by men. The term patriarchy is used both in anthropology to describe a family or clan controlled by the father or eldest male or group of males, and in feminist theory to describe a broader social structure in which men as a group dominate women and children. traditional (conservative) male roles dominate individuals who do not conform to these established norms. Patriarchy literally means "the rule of the father" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchy
  5. @kenny_baas @[email protected] From the moment I could talk, I was

    ordered to listen “This is not only about the physical act of listening” Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash
  6. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Psychotherapist - Sigmund Freud !! Very reductionistic !!

    Very sexist (and a lot more that is wrong….) Freud’s Iceberg This is not a correct iceberg!!! https://joshdata.me/iceberger.html
  7. @kenny_baas @[email protected] More on icebergs at the keynote after this

    talk!! The Iceberg Model of Culture. Anthropologist - Edward T. Hall
  8. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Symbols are the basis of culture. A symbol

    is an object, word, or action that stands for something else with no natural relationship that is culturally defined. Everything one does throughout their life is based and organized through cultural symbolism. Symbolism is when something represents abstract ideas or concepts. Some good examples of symbols/symbolism would be objects, figures, sounds, and colors. Culture is based on symbols https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anthropology/Cultural_Anthropology/Cultural_Anthropology_(Evans)/02%3A_Culture/2.11%3A_Symbols_and_Culture
  9. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Patriarchy influences who and what can be discussed,

    thereby affecting the knowledge that is incorporated into our software design. Photo by Ihor Malytskyi on Unsplash More on this power dynamic in tomorrow’s keynote!
  10. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Belief in

    and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.
  11. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by chloe s. on Unsplash "Quotas, without

    changes to the patriarchal system, merely compel individuals who do not conform to typical patriarchal norms to adopt such behaviors, thus failing to deliver the diverse perspectives they bring."
  12. @kenny_baas @[email protected] "Changing the norm is challenging without the involvement

    of those who define it. For those who exist outside these norms, life can feel like an endless game of Dungeons and Dragons —constantly navigating a labyrinth and conforming to societal expectations just to lead the life they desire."
  13. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Marl Clevenger on Unsplash Someone raised

    as a boy Usually feel they have two options: Be a Men, or be Gay There are not enough options to relate to
  14. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash Role fluidity

    "The aim to achieve the awareness and safety needed to move fluidly between roles as circumstances change."
  15. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Process oriented psychology (psychotherapy) https://www.aamindell.net/process-work Uses awareness to

    track psychological and physical processes that illuminate and possibly resolve inner, relationship, team, and world issues. Arnold and Amy Mindell
  16. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash “What about

    masculinity? Do you know how much femininity man lacks for completeness? You seek the feminine in women and the masculine in men. And thus there are always only men and women. But where are people? - Carl Jung
  17. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Asking diverging questions "When discussing solutions, identify the

    need and ask, 'Who can sort of relate to this need?' To incorporate more perspectives into the group consciousness, inquire further: 'Who sees it differently?'"
  18. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash “The larger

    goal of Deep Democracy is not me changing you and you changing me. But we learning how to relate.” - Arnold mindell
  19. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Give more focus to minority roles that speak

    up Minority roles are often projected one specific role. When they voice their opinions, they are typically ignored or ridiculed, either consciously or unconsciously. Use your influence to amplify these roles, encouraging the group to listen, truly understand and engage with their perspectives."
  20. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash Harmony is

    a wonderful thing, but not nearly as powerful as awareness. - Arnold mindell
  21. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash Facilitating role

    fluidity: Postpone asking for (strong) opinions when discussing design, first create awareness and role fluidity
  22. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Impromptu networking "At the start of the design

    session, begin with an impromptu networking check-in. Have participants interview each other, switching partners every 5-8 minutes. Use facts and needs as questions for the interview, and steer away from questions that are opinions and solutions."
  23. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash “We must

    be able to identify all the parts in a system and allow them to speak. All the parts in a group, even those we do not like or believe to be useless, must be present and supported.” - Arnold mindell
  24. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash Facilitating role

    fluidity: "Conflicts indicate that new roles are seeking to emerge and serve as catalysts for increased group awareness."
  25. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Resolve conflicts in the process of the group

    "Resolve every conflict within the group, regardless of whether it involves just two people, as it is integral to the group process. Unmanaged conflicts can cause breakdowns in communication, loss of context, polarization, and ultimately, war or separation."
  26. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash Leadership is

    a group project, and all of us are necessary to fill it. Wise leaders will realize this and encourage their groups to develop their own evolving leadership potential. - Arnold mindell
  27. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash Circle of

    shame and suppression "From a young age, boys are often taught to feel ashamed of emotions and roles deemed non-masculine, leading them to suppress these feelings. This early lesson in suppression can make it easier for them to suppress others in life."
  28. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash “Knowing your

    own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.” “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” - Carl Jung
  29. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Matheo JBT on Unsplash "The realization

    from people that are profiting from this system can be confrontational." Try not to be hard on yourself, because you can easily fall into that circle of shame and oppression
  30. @kenny_baas @[email protected] Photo by Long Phan on Unsplash “Just because

    you benefit from the system doesn't mean you're bad, wrong, or lacking in hard work or intelligence."