Would your group stop a woman from joining?

[S'mon]

The first of them was a great player. She really got into the character she'd created, came up with an appropriate background, read the rules often, role-played entertainingly, and generally added a hell of a lot to the group. I considered her a good friend, too, and the group would go out to play pool, drink some beers, what-have-you. Eventually I figured out that this woman had a thing for me, and was telling other players behind my back that I was making a huge mistake getting married to my fiancee. EXTREMELY awkward. When she moved away, there was great relief (on my part, especially).

I have had experience of friction between my wife and a single female player in my group. As a GM I think it's something you need to be aware of, that it can happen. And the GM (or whoever wears the pants in your game group - I even hear some groups are democracies, pshaw! ) always needs to exercise judgement over who they invite into a group.
But assuming _all_ female players are going to be disruptive or cause problems seems like a very bad idea to me. It would be like me assuming all (eg) English or New Zealander players were no good because I'd met 1 or 2 I didn't get on with.

 

[Aristotle]

I voted Yes, "but for specific reasons" and I'd like to clarify my reasoning lest I become labeled a chauvinist. (Maybe I will anyway.)

It's only an issue if they are in a relationship with someone at the table. I don't generally allow a significant other to join, unless the couple in question is fairly stable and has been together for a while. I've seen a couple breaking up, break up a gaming group. It isn't cool. So when a significant other joins, they are told from the get-go that any turbulence in their relationship, that might affect the gaming experience for the rest of us, will mean they will need to take a leave of absence at least until things are resolved.

To be fair, if I had a girl at my table who wanted to bring in a male significant other, he would get the same scrutiny and have to agree to the same clause. That's simply never come up as I've yet to ever run games for a girl who didn't have an existing relationship with someone else in the group.

 

[DonTadow]

I voted Yes, "but for specific reasons" and I'd like to clarify my reasoning lest I become labeled a chauvinist. (Maybe I will anyway.)

It's only an issue if they are in a relationship with someone at the table. I don't generally allow a significant other to join, unless the couple in question is fairly stable and has been together for a while. I've seen a couple breaking up, break up a gaming group. It isn't cool. So when a significant other joins, they are told from the get-go that any turbulence in their relationship, that might affect the gaming experience for the rest of us, will mean they will need to take a leave of absence at least until things are resolved.

To be fair, if I had a girl at my table who wanted to bring in a male significant other, he would get the same scrutiny and have to agree to the same clause. That's simply never come up as I've yet to ever run games for a girl who didn't have an existing relationship with someone else in the group.

I agree with this for the most part, but I'm opposite on the ruling. I'd prefer a stable couple . Couples (everyone at my table) (stable ones) whom game seem to be dedicated to the game and I rarely have to worry about canceling sessions. But You hit the nail on the head with the word "stable". Not at my game but a friend of mines, I literally saw a couple break up and he leave her stuff in the street, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME. Now, THe reason for this was more than likely the DM's fault, because he was desperate for players and was aaccepting anyone whom wanted to play the game. (in all honestly neither of them even knew the basics to playing).

I don't want to sound like the Jesse Jackson of Enworld. But sexism and racism are parts of this country I still hate (among other descriminations). My beef is that the author said a general women shouldn't play d and d which is flat out sexism and then people defended the act by saying it was there opinion.

I'm very possessive over my game, but letting people in is not made on prejudices. Man, couple or woman, if i don't think you're good for my game you won't get in. Anyone has a right to do what they want to in their private game. That's why there are still whites-only country clubs in America. You have a right to let into your game who you want to let in. People play the game for different reasons. I just like to play with good, smart people. IF the Friday night guys only poker is your thing then that's your thing. I guess I just don't see d and d the same as poker.

 

[Axegrrl]

I'd kind of have a problem if I didn't want females at the game table...!

The rest of the party are guys, game is run by a guy, and it's the "guys' night out"... then again, I've met all of their wives, and have little in common with any of them.

 

[Neo]

Speaking for myself I wouldnt mind at all if a woman or three were to join our group.

Whether there is a woman at the table or not would make little difference to the guys, so long as they want to roleplay.

As for the social element, well im not quite sure how it works in the rest of the world but we socialise with our women too whether they are only freinds OR a group members respective other.. so the whole "lads" game nights only thing is kinda moot as they tend to come out and have a laugh, a drink and make an A&*$£ of themselves and generally have a ball when playing the game too just like us.
We've never had that whole "women intruding on male only territory" angle some people seem to experience...but then the number of women we have had in our group over the years has been decidedly fewer than the number of men...so perhaps we've just been fortunate with our group and the pople who join it.

At the very worst any women in our group has to put up with the occasional flirtation or one of the single members hitting on them... but then when have women EVER not had to put up with men doing that..

Women who roleplay are on the whole far too few in number and they should be appreciated and encouraged the more gamers the better whatever the gender I say, its all good!

I dont think the issue should be a persons gender but whether or not as people you are compatible to be in a group together or not... its personalities that clash not genders.