[Agent Steel]

I took the time and effort to write out a thoughtful idea and post it onto a metal group on FB, and they didn't allow my opinion to be heard. I figured that was a possibility, so I saved the post on google documents so I could post it somewhere else. Since they won't allow it there I guess I'll put it here.

"I believe there is a scientific reason for why metal is such a male-dominated form of music. I think it can be explained by the way our hormones interact with the brain.

Both males and females have some amount of testosterone and estrogen in their blood cells. Males carry about half of each hormone per cell, whereas females carry about 95% estrogen along with 5% of testosterone.

Male aggression comes from having higher levels of testosterone. And the desire to release this aggression stimulates the dopamine receptors in the brain, resulting in a euphoric high. It is often the case that metal is an aggressive form of music and so it's no surprise that it resonates more with males. The joy and euphoria that a male might feel from listening to metal may not be relatable to many females because to a female aggression can only experienced as a negative emotion in the brain rather than a positive one.

If I'm upsetting anyone by saying this I'm sorry and that's not my intention. I'm only trying to come up with a rational explanation for this trend."

You see I even had the courtesy to add a statement at the end that says I don't mean to offend. And they still didn't allow it!

Anyway what are your thoughts on this statement of mine? Do you agree or disagree?

[Godstud]

Disagree.

I know many women who love Metal music. I don't buy your theory about hormones, and I do not think it's not scientifically based.

Metal Music isn't necessarily about aggression. I know some very unaggressive males who love Metal. It's about personal preference. If anything, it's about a social stigma attached to Metal music that prevents some people from openly enjoying Metal music, or saying they like it.

I do not think your rationale is based on science, but you assuming that how things work. Unless you can give an actual study done on this, it's nothing more than an empty theory... and I don't mean to offend.

[Agent Steel]

And that's fine that you disagree.

Do you think my opinion is offensive though? Or sexist?

[Godstud]

Offensive? No.

I see how it could be seen as sexist, though, as you're making this entire premise based on a sexual premise.

I think it'd be more feasible that the Metal scene is more dominated by men, because it is seen socially as being male dominated. It's the same way you wouldn't see a great many men at a Justin Beiber, or boy band concert. Metal is often seen as an anti-social element, linked to such things as anarchism. I think that the social factor far supersedes what I'd call a very minor factor(hormones).

I wouldn't discount your theory entirely, but I think it's not something that is actually a major factor.

[Agent Steel]

My hypothesis makes more sense than yours.

What is the social factor that explains this trend better than biology? Can you develop that idea some more? Are you suggesting that men are more anti-social than women?

[Godstud]

Women, socially, have always been expected to be more conforming to social norms, than males. They are socially pushed away from music such as Metal. Biology doesn't figure into that.

Hormones would factor in a great deal more if we didn't have an intellect that can over-ride them. That, and whether you like Metal music isn't decided by testosterone, or hormones.

[ThirdTerm]

This is a new single from a Swedish band. In the old days when metal music was great, we had Lita Ford. I guess females are not into this type of music in the first place, which is why there are less female singers or bands in this genre.

[Godstud]

I always liked Lacuna Coil

[Agent Steel]

@Godstud I really don't know what you're talking about.

You're saying the reason why less females get into metal is because of the preconceived idea that metal is not meant for them. But where did this notion come from? It could have only come to be after some time passed by and metal became defined to be that way. Your hypothesis doesn't explain why the very first heavy metal bands attracted a predominantly male audience.

[Pants-of-dog]

It is a verifiable hypothesis.

You could scan people’s brains while listening to or performing heavy metal and see if there is a difference between makes and females.

[Julian658]

It is a verifiable hypothesis.

You could scan people’s brains while listening to or performing heavy metal and see if there is a difference between makes and females.

In these professions women are non-existent even though the pay is not bad:

MEN DOING THE JOBS BELOW:'

98.6%Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
98.6%Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers
98.3%Logging workers
99.1%Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

[Pants-of-dog]

What does that have to do with brain scans?

[BigSteve]

What does that have to do with brain scans?

With regards to you?

Nothing...

[Julian658]

What does that have to do with brain scans?

A lot! Don't play naive as you usually do.
Men and women are different. Do you agree?

[Pants-of-dog]

Sure.

And?

[Jethro Bodine]

About 20 years ago, I went to school for audio engineering and worked briefly in the music business (okay, I interned at a recording studio). The one thing I took away from that experience is that rock and metal musicians kinda tend to be douchebags with more ego than talent. Now I'm a fan of some metal (can Tool really be categorized as metal?) but honestly, aggression and arrogance is the whole metal shtick and I know a lot more aggressive and arrogant men than women. So it's really not surprising that the genre is dominated by male performers.

[Julian658]

Sure.

And?

Some fields are dominated by men and others by women. Can you even explain why?

[Pants-of-dog]

Some fields are dominated by men and others by women. Can you even explain why?

What does this have to do with the hypothesis from the OP?

[Godstud]

Some fields are dominated by men and others by women. Can you even explain why?

Yes. Social aspects.

Mainstream society dissatisfies most participants of subcultures, and they adopt a subcultural identity in order to have space to express themselves (Haenfler 2013). Many youths who feel oppressed or ostracized from their peers might turn towards metal because of dark and bleak themes that appeal to disenchanted youth (Haenfler 2013). Metal fans often take pride in the state of isolation and alienation. They reject the goals and values presented by society (Arnett 1996).

Aside from Glam Metal, hypermasculinity dominates the metal scene. These themes include sexual power, domination of women, and risky behavior (Krenske & Mckay 2000). Many of these themes could come from the socialization of young people to be independent. For some, “independence becomes loneliness, self-sufficiency may shade into isolation, individualism may take an alienated form” (Arnett 1996, 16). Arnett’s (1996) work points to the existence of some connection between alienation and masculinity. Alienation creates variance in socialization, and heavy metal draws individuals because of its hyper-masculine themes.
https://haenfler.sites.grinnell.edu/sub ... avy-metal/

Here's a direct article on it:
Women in Hypermasculine Environments: An
Analysis of Gender Dynamics in the Heavy Metal
Subculture
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewc ... ontext=etd

I doubt, very much, that biology plays more than a very minor role in why Metal is dominated by males.

[Julian658]

Yes. Social aspects.

Mainstream society dissatisfies most participants of subcultures, and they adopt a subcultural identity in order to have space to express themselves (Haenfler 2013). Many youths who feel oppressed or ostracized from their peers might turn towards metal because of dark and bleak themes that appeal to disenchanted youth (Haenfler 2013). Metal fans often take pride in the state of isolation and alienation. They reject the goals and values presented by society (Arnett 1996).

Aside from Glam Metal, hypermasculinity dominates the metal scene. These themes include sexual power, domination of women, and risky behavior (Krenske & Mckay 2000). Many of these themes could come from the socialization of young people to be independent. For some, “independence becomes loneliness, self-sufficiency may shade into isolation, individualism may take an alienated form” (Arnett 1996, 16). Arnett’s (1996) work points to the existence of some connection between alienation and masculinity. Alienation creates variance in socialization, and heavy metal draws individuals because of its hyper-masculine themes.
https://haenfler.sites.grinnell.edu/sub ... avy-metal/

Here's a direct article on it:
Women in Hypermasculine Environments: An
Analysis of Gender Dynamics in the Heavy Metal
Subculture
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewc ... ontext=etd

I doubt, very much, that biology plays more than a very minor role in why Metal is dominated by males.

Biology is your enemy. You made that point very clear.

POD cannot explain why some professions are almost 100% dominated by men: Can you explain why?

MEN DOING THE JOBS BELOW:'

98.6%Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
98.6%Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers
98.3%Logging workers
99.1%Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists


[KS mod edit: Rule 2]