AMEN!!!
BTW... I have two daughters who both play several musical instruments. I like to think that I've played and instrumental (pun intended) in their desire to pursue their musical dreams. But it was NEVER about equalization of numbers, gender or anything else outside the fact that we all LOVE music and we love to make music. I wish and hope for them the best with whatever goals they may have... but I don't lose sleep at night worrying about the way to their dreams being barred by any gender barrier. Life is too short to live inside the walls of victimhood.
I know parents of severely-handicapped children who raised their children with NO walls around them, treating them NO different than any other kid (as far as realistically possible). Those kids are the most "normal" kids. They've fully integrated into society and done their best to live the same lives as everyone else. Sheltering them, and raising them as if they were different would have done them NO favors. This does not mean that I don't think that we should examine our surroundings, motivations, etc as human beings and make small adjustments where they may be warranted. But we should NEVER think of ourselves as victims, helpless to change our course or lot in life. Once you become a victim... you lose power and place it in the hands of others. Historical figures of greatness had the fortitude and will-power to hammer through the walls placed before them. No barriers were going to keep them from their goals.
