I've been in this industry for 15 years. If I had a dollar for every time a man tried to condescend me or assume I didn't know what I was talking about I wouldn't have to work any more. I have come to realize because I chose to be in this male dominated industry, I have a tendency to really push hard to prove myself and be the best at what I do, and that has given me certain advantages. I've also learned how to do enough research on my own to where when I need to ask a question I don't sound ignorant or uninformed- that always seems to get me better responses. Not going to lie though- it gives me much joy when I see my competition burned up because they got beaten by a girl. Try harder, boys.
Okay....... I get where you're coming from, but the statement you made seems a little, well....... prejudice. Other than having babies, isn't just about all industries really male driven ?? I mean for centuries, like 1,000s of years, men did most of the work or initiated it. Sure women were in the work force, but only recently, have they begun to get their heads above water and take credit for their own accomplishments..... and deservedly so. I don't see any industry today as being male dominated or anything else. Great strides have been made in the last few decades to stop that and they are working quite well. The only thing I see different is the introduction of all the new genders being added to the original 2. There are now 58 according to some leading minds, but there are more, if you listen to some of the other people coming up with new ways of looking at themselves.
Therefore, instead of making or considering yourself different, try to think of your self in the industry.... period. No one cares if you're young, old, male, female, short, tall, skinny or whatever...... we 're all in this together and we're all here for each other.