Template talk:UB Gender

"Default" gender

Personally, I feel that this template should have an undisclosed gender option and have that option as the default gender. With the male option being the "default" gender, it goes on the train with a good majority of those on the internet assuming that everyone is male. Because that is what the template does, as if the creator went under the assumption of everyone being male. Why should one gender be the default while the other is an option? In fact, that's why I personally feel that the gender templates should be different ones. But if that's not the case, there needs to be an undisclosed option, in my opinion. Additionally, this also for those who don't identify as male or female the option to have a template that would accommodate to them. – Jazzi (talk) 19:12, 15 August 2013 (EDT)

I believe you are assuming too much about the intentions of the template's author. The template doesn't assume anything about anybody at all - it's just a default setting, which any good, robust template should have. It could be male, female, it doesn't matter. In the end, the template's usage instructions instruct the user to specify a gender as a parameter regardless - both are options.

The reason why male and female are now under one userbox is because we're currently in the process of migrating all our userboxes to a newer, cleaner system, in which most templates, including this one, allow editors to change parameters (kudos to Sky for starting this project). Check out Sky's sandbox for examples. Doing this reduces the number of userboxes, which helps keep things simple and organized.

Anyway, an undisclosed option would be a good option for users who wish to not display their gender, or those who don't identify either side. We'll need to come up with a good idea for the icon to use for that. ~SuperHamster Talk 20:56, 15 August 2013 (EDT)

I personally feel that Rover would be a good pick for undisclosed gender. Since your decision for gender is picked through him. Personally, I just find it a bit bothersome, but that's just me and is influenced by personal views. I understand having templates that have a default parameter. I was also peeved about oppression, not gender, but in general.

What I find would be good for a gender undisclosed template would be as appeared:

This user's gender is undisclosed.

This user's gender is undisclosed.

This user's gender is undisclosed.

I personally find the gray best... – Jazzi (talk) 09:34, 16 August 2013 (EDT)

I understand why you could be upset - in the end, it's just a template though, and nothing more :) I agree that there is a large gender bias in the world, but this template is not an example of that.

Anyway, great idea - gray also looks best imo. ~SuperHamster Talk 10:08, 16 August 2013 (EDT)

Revisting this after 6 years - I'm unhappy with my initial response and in hindsight I absolutely agree that with having undisclosed as the default option. I've made the change, and no current usages of the infoboxes should be broken since all current users have specified a parameter. When I've got some time I'll look at expanding the template with more parameter options as well. ~SuperHamster Talk 17:14, July 3, 2019 (EDT)