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Gender Stereotypes In Computer Science

1257 Words6 Pages

It is no secret that nowadays women are extremely underrepresented in the technology with no definite explanation why. Many popular theories are that women are not naturally good or concerned in technology, the education system is failing young women, or there are not enough role models. The issue of why women do not pursue Computer Science is a very complex issue with many variables, and an aggregation of these issues can push women away from the CS field and towards others whether for personal ideas, work flexibility, or even similar culture. These variables include: Girls being discouraged from doing math or told they’re not as good, perceived “masculine geek” culture, perceived anti-social career field, perceived lack of ability to help …show more content…

Stereotypes of computer scientists is another cause. Cultural stereotypes about computer scientists strongly influenced young women’s desire to take classes in the field. Girls already hold stereotypes of computer scientists as socially isolated young men whose genius is the result of genetics rather than hard work. Given that many girls are indoctrinated to believe that they should be feminine and modest about their abilities, as well as brought up to assume that girls are not innately gifted in science or math, it is not surprising that so few can see themselves as successful computer scientists.
Female undergraduates are arranged to talk to an actor pretending to be a computer science major. If the actor wore a T-shirt that said “I CODE THEREFORE I AM” and claimed to enjoy video games, the students expressed less interest in studying computer science than if the actor wore a solid shirt and claimed to enjoy hanging out with friends — even if the T-shirt-clad actor was another …show more content…

Confidence is much the same way, where girls are encouraged to perform to please others, and, therefore, derive their confidence and self-worth based on signs of approval. The alienation of being in an institution built on one’s nature, where if they play along they’re also seen as denying their feminine side, and the pressure of having to constantly prove oneself can take a toll on confidence. To make computer science more attractive to women, we have tot help young women change how they think about themselves and what’s expected of them. But we might also make the images of scientists they see in the media different, along with the decor in the classrooms and offices in which they might want to study or work. Computer scientists and engineers are going to be designing the future that everyone inhabits. We need women and minorities to enjoy an ambient sense of belonging in those professions if the future they create is going to be one in which all of us feel at

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