Why DO women like prog?

abnormalist wrote: darkshade wrote: abnormalist wrote: As a girl myself, here's my theory: Women tend to feel more the need to be able to share their musical tastes with others(basically liking the music and at the same time connecting with other people through it). That might explain why, in general, you see more "fangirls" of a particular artist than "fanboys"(there are often almost as many, but men are less prone to admit being fanboys of something, at least from what I've seen). Basically, since the genres that gain more exposure are miles away from prog, it's tougher for girls to find that social aspect in progressive music. Also(again from what I've seen), and as stated by others, men tend to focus more on one particular aspect of whatever they listen to, while women focus more on different aspects. Therefore, the latter might pay more attention not just to the music, but also to other aspects of the band/artist, like their image, their history, their fanbase, what the media says about them... Since most prog bands put the emphasis more on the music and not on the other aspects, it is maybe less appealing to some women who would have otherwise liked it. Of course I'm making generalizations here, but that is all my opinion, and I could be completely wrong. Also, it's kind of cool being in the minority (I know it's a bit stupid, but that's how I roll). Then tell me why, whenever I go to a jam band concert, or a jazz concert; which are both very far away from the mainstream, are there usually tons of girls there? Maybe it's because jazz has been around far longer than prog and has more of a tradition of listeners (it has had the time to become more widespread without necessarily turning mainstream)... I don't really know, to be honest. Anyhow, it bothers me to no end that there are not that many women who are avid prog listeners, especially since prog is so diverse and can appeal to a lot of people. Sometimes I feel so aloooone...

Well if it makes you feel less alone, 80% of us are beta males and should have probably been born as women anyway.

Why DO beta males like prog?

The Miracle wrote: Deathrabbit wrote: Well if it makes you feel less alone, 80% of us are beta males and should have probably been born as women anyway. That's kind of a gay thing to say, so lemme just make it clear that I'm in the proud 20%.

I'll readily admit I would have made a better gay female than I do a straight male.

Deathrabbit wrote: Because we have a lot of free time because women don't date us

The likely problem is that you never really tried. Have you?

As time goes by...My Girlfriend shuns pop.   The last 2 years she has embraced prog-metal and all things Rush and Dream Theater.  She has always loved Yes. 

There should be more all-line female prog bands...

^ i wouldn't mind betting that isn't true.

Popovych wrote: Snow Dog wrote: ^ i wouldn't mind betting that isn't true. well, I won't generalize: many spanish girls like reggaeton and electro

 I'll put my tuppence worth in here. I think that it's all down to the hunter/gatherer theory. The male being "The Hunter" of the old caveman days,where he would just focus on the thing he was hunting and concentrate with his eyes on the "prey". Most males will sit and listen over and over and concentrate on the music,whereas "The Gatherer" is the female who can turn her hand to quite a few things at the same time and doesn't focus on one particular thing. Maybe they like the music that will grab their attention immediately so they can sing along after a few listens. There are exceptions,of course.

 This is just a theory after I saw a play about the differences between men and women,which was quite funny,but I can't remember the name of the play.It was a one man show by the Aussie bloke who played Joe Mangle in Neighbours

Slartibartfast wrote: Oddly enough the original question becomes lost.  The premise of the the thread is why do women like prog? not why they do not.  Of course prog is mostly a guy thing but not exclusively.

Yeah I caught that too
In these days everything has to be so politically correct, that it becomes increasingly difficult to have these conversations without someone throwing down the "sexist" or "generalization" card.
In nearly every of these hypothesis about music - there are exceptions. If I were to say that the only people who listens to ABBA are women and male hairdressers - I´d be wrong because my dad kinda likes them But still - I don´t know anybody outside these 2 groups of people, apart from my dad that is - who listens to ABBA.
I know I´m a bad boy - I came off sounding completely sexist, but at least I´m admitting to it

The girls I know who like prog - tend to go for the more suave and melodic stuff, and maybe that has something to do with women being more gentle creatures. I don´t know really...
I know they like some of Porcupine Tree - if it doesn´t become too psychedelic or rawkous. Pure Reason Revolution also gets the thumbs up - especially the more poppy Amor Vincit Omnia. Then again - there are bound to be women out there who love Van Damme Generator just as much as I do, but I just haven´t met them yet - or maybe they are over 50 - and got to know about music in another way. Meaning that the music could be something that was jarring and dramatical existing on its own premise - and you didn´t have to be able to dance to it.

I spoke to a couple of my female friends about this issue some time ago, and they told me that they didn´t care for music that complicated things unnecessary - and solos and jams were indeed a thing of the past - just like their parents were
The thing is - I then started talking about how I knew a lot of people who felt similarly, - but understood the power of such music - only transcribed in movies, -and then they paused for a while. One of them said, that such music is alright when it has pictures pasted onto it - and it gives that something special to the given picture.
I´m not sure about any of this, but it sure was an intriguing conversation.
It ended with me teasing them a bit - talking about women in general don´t go for the complex in music - but preferably seeks it out in relationships
Ok - I´ll stop now...