Girls with Power Tools: Woodworking Can Be Empowering

Woodworking, handling lumber and power tools seems like a man’s game. Not just any man, even. But an old soul, the rugged lumberjack type. Kids these days, these millennials, don’t seem interested in working with their hands and getting ‘em dirty. Seems so, right?

But it’s not actually the case. Woodworking is having a resurgence and it’s becoming quite popular with young people and ladies. That sense of fulfillment you get working on pieces of wood and creating something useful after a day’s hard work? It’s got a universal appeal and the next generation is getting in on it.

So the kids are fine

Fox ran a story on how Minnesota State College’s Southeast campus held a woodworking workshop for girls ages 9-12 who made benches that were donated to an elementary school.

According to the camp’s lead instructor, Katie Dunn: ““The girls have been really great about hammering together the benches and that’s not always easy for a nine year old.”

“They’ve persisted and they’ve got it completely put together all on their own.”

The exercise taught them teamwork, trust and confidence as well as familiarizing them with operating power tools. Aside from the benches, they also made and painted birdhouses, learned string art and made new friends.

“It was like loud and stuff and I was scared, but I did it and I liked it,” says Isabella Waller, one of the girls involved in the camp.

The program was intended to build the girls’ confidence, help them overcome fears and introduce them to activities they might not have ever done before.

According to Slate, this is part of a growing trend of woodworking women. There’s an ever increasing number of books, magazines and mommy blogs dedicated to topics such as DIY carpentry. Due to women’s growing financial independence, and the potential cost savings in repairing or making your own furniture as opposed to buying new ones, this is a fairly logical development. Roles are expanding beyond old stereotypes. In families we are seeing more fathers helping out in raising kids or cooking in the kitchen. So it makes sense that moms are also building dining tables or baby cribs. It opens up interesting possibilities for wholesome family fun activities – whether it’s making dinner at the kitchen table or working a circular saw together.

Three cheers to girls with power tools!