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"Geeks" Discouraging Women From Going Into Computer Science
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis recently looked into this female paucity, and found that "geeky" work environments played a factor in turning women off from tech jobs. When a test group of females were placed in a workplace designed with stereotypically geeky decor ('Star Trek' posters, video game boxes, etc.), the majority said they felt less similar to computer science majors than those who were placed in a non-stereotypical environment. To control gender bias, researchers conducted other experiments, including one in which women were given the choice to work at one of two all-female firms, with the only difference being the work environment -- again, one with "nerdy" objects and one control environment. About 82-percent of the women, according to MSNBC, chose the non-geeky workplace. When men were introduced into the same experiment, they also opted for the non-nerdy office, but women's preferences were significantly stronger.
We're not sure a lot of people will find this surprising. It's not like anyone ever confused the stereotypical computer programmer with a Casanova. Yet it seems like things are on the downward trend when it comes to women in computer science -- especially considering how cool has gradually seeped into Geekdom by way of hipster aesthetic. Maybe it's time researchers take down those 'Star Trek' posters and re-think the antiquated idea of what exactly constitutes a "geek." [From: MSNBC]
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Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsdeborah grossblattDec 19th 2009 9:47PM
As long as women can communicate using words and feelings the fantasy world of Geekdom will belong to men who populate the spectrum of autism.
HopeDec 19th 2009 4:41PM
Heaven help the geeks who continue to live in their la-la-la-land and think they own the area of computer science. How about we, the women, tear down these stereotypes and support young girls who are interested in math and science. The world just might end up being a better place if we, the women, ruled because we are good at solving things unlike the male species with big egos continue to destroy the world with wars and selfish acts.
AnneDec 19th 2009 5:35PM
As a female, I'd be one of those 18 percent who chose the geeky workplace. I don't really watch anime and my knowledge of popular 80's cartoons (Transformers? He-Man?) isn't the best, but I'd much rather work somewhere where something like that is placed on the walls than, perhaps, nothing at all.
If science and math are cool fields for women to be in (and I think they are), why not embrace all of it - including the 'geekier' aspects? What's wrong with that, that other women don't like 'geeky' stuff?
BTW, Star Trek rules!
mikemaj82Dec 19th 2009 5:37PM
I discourage you because there are no jobs. I got my CS degree 5 years ago and still haven't found a job in that field.
ryofanDec 19th 2009 7:11PM
Are you sure it's not just you. Having a degree doesn't guarantee you a job. CS is an expanding field so (not trying to troll here) I'm guessing your just not that good at it. Or maybe you just suck at interviews for 60+k jobs. someone with a 2 year degree can program just fine, but it takes a 4-6 year degree to master it. My college teaches it's students how to program algorithms you need a background in calculus and statistics just to understand what their doing.
mikemaj82Dec 19th 2009 10:37PM
well it sounds like you're still in college, so good luck to you once you get out. I have the 4 year bachelor of science degree, and calculus or some form of math was required for every single semester. I actually learned more about programming teaching myself than from the classes; those were mostly for theory and rarely included real world problems. but with a BSCS degree you can do almost anything in the field, since the courses covered so many aspects. problem is finding someone who will hire a college graduate with no experience.
ryofanDec 19th 2009 7:03PM
Not to sound sexist but women are the majority in EVERY NON ENGINEERING MAJOR my college offers. This includes math, physics, and business not just foo-foo artsy degrees.
Don't get me wrong; I am a CS major and wouldn't mind tipping the ratio in favor of more women, but stop acting like this is a tragedy. And besides there is a major scholarship organization dedicated to changing this.
If women are disfavored in the work place that's the work place. In college they have plenty of advantages. If you don't believe me then you sure as hell haven't been to my school.