John, can you point to anything specific you do, or avoid doing, with your marketing to appeal to a wider audience?
Big thanks to the ladies who have taken the time to respond to this thread with their perspective. I learned a few things.
...I think in some ways I would feel more comfortable with an all female class...
I hesitated to add anything to this because I wasn't sure I had anything of value to add, but here goes. I haven't been in this section much because I still consider myself new to guns, though really, if I'm honest with myself, it's really lack of confidence that makes me say that because when I am talking with a friend or my children, I realize that I actually know quite a lot. I guess I've always looked at this section as an area for the more advanced, which is silly really, when it takes training to become more advanced.
I also agree that a lot has depended on stereotypes. I didn't get into guns for a long time because I'm primarily a stay at home mom, and nothing really happens in the safety of one's home, right? It took becoming a victim, though not of violence, but a victim nonetheless, for me to really stand up and say no, no one else is going to take care of me, and I AM strong enough to take care of myself. My husband really helped break that stereotype for me because in nearly every other area he expects me to do it myself. If I need something hauled, well, hook up the trailer and go haul it, woman...lol. Need a faucet fixed? He's working, I can do it myself. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't do all these things that are typically thought of as manly things, and the same goes for protecting myself and my children. He expects me to take just as much initiative as he would.
(I hope that doesn't make him sound like some jerk, because he's not, he's just not the type to coddle the little lady...lol)
I think in some ways I would feel more comfortable with an all female class, but only because of the stereotype in my mind that all women would be on the same level as me. Stupid, huh? I'm working on getting myself signed up for two different training classes, and while they aren't all female, as far as I know, I do hope there's at least one other female. Regardless I'm just going to force myself to step out of my comfort zone and get some training, and I'm terribly excited for it. I'm sure in the long run I'll have a wonderful time.
Enough rambling, I'm done.
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Classes are normally a far cry from the creepy know-it-all "helpful" fellow you might be concerned about running into at the range.
That said...before I post, I think long and hard about if my input is really necessary or adding anything to the conversation. Ninety percent of the time, I decide it's not, and just keep reading. So maybe that's why you don't see us as much. We keep our mouths shut.
I think this is it. I can only name a few females on INGO and that's because they outed themselves.
Have never taken a female only class. This is the section of INGO I post the most in. Once you take class it can be frustrating as you seen the men run the other direction when it is time to pair up. It hurts my training in FOF because I want someone with man strength grabbing my wrist etc. A lot of men say they want to see more women shooting but then do not embrace it when they show up at class. You don't have to be paired every time with member of the opposite sex, you might learn something new-and you can help make women safer and become more involved with gun culture.
the men run the other direction when it is time to pair up.