Tuesday, March 18, 2014
What Are We Teaching Our Young Girls?
Many have asked, "why aren't women in computer science more?" This article suggests that items stereotypically associated with boys, such as Star Trek toys, make girls feel less comfortable with the idea of working with computers. Perhaps there is more to it than that many men like to decorate their cubicles with TV show paraphernalia that they watch, but stereotyping seems to be important, even at an early age. There doesn't seem to be a high drop-out rate of women entering computer science, but not finishing. It seems that both the major entry and graduation rates are low, suggesting that any women wanting to study a technical field were deterred from that study long before college. The last time there was a peak in women in computer science was a generation ago. Therefore, it may be how we are raising our girls today that is the chief reason for their avoiding science unnecessarily. I have a little girl, too. I need to teach her that she can do whatever she wants.
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My interest in computers started long before I knew of any stereotypes associated with them. I think the reason computer science appeals to men more could go beyond social construct.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up with engineers as parents, I've learned to love all those stereotypes. But most girls don't have that experience. I definitely think girls don't like being nerdy, and showing interest in computers and technology now-a-days is considered nerdy! I think we should teach younger girls that being smart and tech-minded is okay. I mean, technology is one of the biggest industries today! So I think being a nerd today is the cool thing to do!
ReplyDeleteNot being a woman, I'm not sure how much discouragement takes place and when. However, I have never heard a woman say, "I would love to have a job in Computer Science, but here are just too many men." It makes me think that maybe the problem isn't so much stereotypes as it is about lack of interest.
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