Chapter 1: The Phone Dilemma

In today's world, smartphones have become the most frequently used personal gadgets, making them more susceptible to damage. Over the years, I've noticed a peculiar trend: women seem to carry more damaged phones than men.

From my observations, it appears that roughly one in five women has some form of hardware issue with their phones, such as a cracked screen or malfunctioning camera. Initially, I speculated that younger women might be more active, leading to a higher likelihood of accidents. However, the same can be said for young men!

Yet, the statistics reveal that young women tend to have a greater percentage of damaged phones compared to their male counterparts. This pattern isn't limited to just one age group; it seems to span across various demographics.

Is it financial status? Not necessarily. Even men with lower incomes often possess more durable phones than financially successful women. This phenomenon has captured my attention—it's too consistent to be mere coincidence.

I believe that two key factors are at play here: the user’s relationship with their device and the device’s relationship with the user.

Section 1.1: User-Device Relationship

The connection between a user and their device is crucial. The design and engineering of smartphones are often shaped by the experiences and knowledge of their creators, most of whom are men.

Statistics show that in the field of electronics engineering, women make up only about 8.8% of the workforce.

In digital design, only 9.7% are women, while men dominate the field with 90.3%.

This male-dominated landscape may inadvertently introduce gender biases in design choices, impacting how devices are built and their usability for women.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Average User

Most phones are engineered with the "average human" in mind, but who exactly is that? Is it a man or a woman? Men and women lead distinctly different lives, which can affect how they interact with their devices.

For instance, women's hands are generally smaller, influencing how they grip their phones. Many women also have longer nails, which may alter their touch interactions. Moreover, women typically store their phones in handbags, increasing the risk of drops, unlike men who keep theirs in pockets.

While these observations are based on my personal experiences and not extensive data, I'm intrigued by the implications.

If you're a woman who has faced similar challenges, please share your thoughts in the comments!

Chapter 2: A Design Flaw?

Perhaps, I dare say, "Maybe broken phones aren’t the fault of women. It might actually be a flaw in design!"

A humorous take on what happens when you look through a woman's phone.

Insights from a national organizing call featuring women for Harris.

Curated Short Stories

You can explore a range of dark, thought-provoking, and satirical fiction on my website.

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A Writer’s POV

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