Gender in Online Communities

Though online communities strive to create an equal playing field for both genders, online communities are really a reflection of real life. As it is a reflection of real life, the gender issues and inequalities cannot be escaped.
It seems that the same issues and problems that are prevalent in real life are also relevant issues in virtual communities. Gender is one such issue which is meant to be neutral in many online communities, but just as gender is not neutral in societies around the world, it is not neutral online.
When people enter virtual worlds it is impossible to leave behind all that socialization in the United States has taught us.