MELISSA CLOUTHIER
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Why Women Blog Less Than Men
Hostile, 'Wild West' atmosphere keeps many away
By Nick McMaster
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Posted Oct 27, 09 5:47 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Women dominate social media—they use Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace much more than men. But not blogging: 67% of bloggers are male, one survey shows. Why? Because "the Internet still feels like the Wild West," writes Melissa Clouthier, where differences of opinion can quickly escalate into personal attacks. With all the "nutjobs" out there, personal safety is a genuine concern. "Most women simply do not want to put up with this garbage."
"Women bloggers are often sexualized and insulted," Clouthier writes on her blog. "Just about every conservative woman blogger, including me, has endured horrible personal, violent and sexual insults." Clouthier says she herself likes the "rough and tumble" atmosphere of political blogging. But "most women have enough heat in the rest of their lives, they figure they don’t need to invite by putting ideas out there via a blog."