Abstract
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit, has been enormously successful. But while it is read nearly equally by women and men, women are only 8.5 to 12.6% of those who edit or write Wikipedia articles. We analyzed coverage of Wikipedia’s gender gap by 42 U.S. news organizations and blogs as well as 1,336 comments posted online by readers. We also interviewed Wikimedia Foundation executive director Sue Gardner. Commentators questioned Wikipedia’s epistemology and culture and associated the gap with societal issues and/or (perceived) gender differences regarding time management, self-confidence, and expertise, as well as personality and interests. Yet, many commentators denied the gap was a problem; they blamed women for not joining, suggested it was women’s choice, or mocked girly interests. The belittling of the disparity as feminist ideology arguably betrays an antifeminist backlash.
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