I know i am kinda new but i have been curious for a while about something. �It seems to me that the majority of pagans, at least the ones i know are women as are those it seems to me that are on this site. �So please indulge me for a minute.

You know of all the witches I have known in person only one was a man.  It does seem that most of us are female.  I wonder why that is.

I have no formal training in this area, though I think there is a reason, probably to do with sensitivity and visualization.  I'd also like to hear from the guys, if they're not offended or feel like they're lab rats.

I don't think that is confined to Paganism.  I believe this is true of just about any religion.  My thinking is that "religion" or religious ritual tends to appeal to more emotionally oriented people, and since women tend to be more emotionally driven than men (I don't say "emotional" as that conjures visions of PMS crying fits--I mean, we make decisions based more on emotion and intuition).  We are also more aware of our emotions and how they work FOR us rather than against us. That isn't to say that there aren't men who have the same emotion base, because there are, but the majority is female.  Many women who have truly explored their emotions and the basis for them have turned to paganism/witchcraft for that very reason.  We are learning to utilize the power the emotion gives us.     I'm a complete drama queen, so I am soooo attracted to the ritual aspect of paganism.  

I don't really know if this is correct, but this is what I think may be the reason.  I'm sure there are probably a dozen and a half other reasons as well.

I have noticed this myself.  Of all the dozen or so real pagans I know, only one is male.  He knows two others, including me.  As Seamonster pointed out, women do tend to be more spiritually inclined, no matter the belief system.  Countless polls and surveys bear this out.  As for reasons, I can only speak for myself.  I have always seen through the hypocrisy and shallowness of organized religion, yet I've also felt a connection to Something Bigger.  I've never been one to allow myself to become part of the herd for the mere sake of doing so.  This may come from spending my childhood happily as a loaner.  As far as being a minority, I must confess, it's not all bad.

Blessings.
Monk

My story is a bit different. To refrain from indulging into a dull past, and to see a quick answer, just look at the last sentence in this paragraph.    There was a time in my teenaged life where I needed a God and no matter how many times I prayed and attended church, things never seemed to get better. So, I began to question the faith I was 'told' was the one true way. I began to search what I felt I was drawn to. The serenity of the woods (which I lived in.)  The beauty and wonders of nature. The odd coincidences that have happened in my life. I searched through numerous religions to find the one that matched what I perceived to be correct. Buddhism, Judaism, they all were incorrect. Then I thought "Hmm... I'm most Cherokee. I wonder what my ancestors may be lined up in." After some intensive research, I saw that a lot, but not all, actually matched up to what my lineage believed in. Indian spirituality is classified as a type of paganistic belief, which I then looked up the topic and found that it satisfied my other beliefs. So, my way of finding my path was a series of inner searching and looking at what matched what I believed in (which I have built up on since then.)

I agree with Seamonster. Working with kids, I see a lot of gender differenciating from the parents. One parent of a girl crying who fell is cooed, while the parents of a boy with the same incident is told to 'brush it off, you're fine.' I think that men are taught to repress emotions, to be logical at all times. Which is why I agree with you, Seamonster. Paganism is a path of inner workings, of a duality between logic and emotions.

More pagan men surround me than women, but I've always had more male friends than female in general.

They are a very satisfying group of intellectuals - students of shamanism and occult knowledge, with superior skills in artistic abilities and literary studies, some even serve in the military. but in the end it's all about walks in the woods, outdoor gatherings, and enjoying mama nature in many ways.

I have never met another pagan male, guess I am all alone on the hill. But an outdoor type pagan I am. Woods, gulleys, valleys, pastures, just anywhere outside with nature. And yes more shamanistic based than anything. Most literature now portrays ancient pagan beliefs as female oriented. The males were the hunters and that took most of their time. The women planted, grew and paid attention to the cycles of life. Enough books and papers have already been written.
http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/e/eller-myth.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchy
http://www.hippy.com/article-150.html

And on and on.
There are more admitted female than male pagans. Why? I don't have a clue.

Blessings
Sundow

(and no I don't mind being outnumbered!)

In general, there tend to have been more "visible" women as the pagan movement grew in the 60s and 70s because it was tied to the Women's Movement. Paganism was seen as a means of practicing religion without patriarchal overtones, so women tended to organize and promote paganism, making it appear that more ther were more pagan women then men.

It is possible that the stats even out a bit between men and women more among solitary practitioners and people who clearly practice some form of nature spiritualism or occult. Although I think more women than men are willing to classify themselves as "pagan", I think you will find an exceptional number of men practicing and engaging in similar systems, whether they be related to nature or a more systematic study of the occult.

I couldn't tell you why this is.  I know of several male Pagans.  But perhaps the reason there are so many woman on the site as apposed to men is because online is a safer place to find other Pagans.  I know I live where there are a lot of Christians and it is a little scary trying to find people of like mind in person.  It happens but you still got to be careful.  Maybe the men just don't want to come out of the broom closet.

Love and Laughter
~Raveness~

— Raveness1 wrote

�Maybe the men just don't want to come out of the broom closet.

Love and Laughter
~Raveness~

True, against the manly code to exhibit or express compassion, caring for other people or mother earth. And here in the bible belt it is not always a good idea to be openly pagan.

Sundown

I believe it's much easier for us to call our selves "Pagan/Witch" or whatever because we are women. It's more recognized as a female art, I think. So I would think percentage wise you are going to run into more women. Being in CA, I know quite a few male Pagans, but only call one my friend. I know others through other groups of friends. I still know more women overall. Myself, I am a solitary practitioner.