This week at WomenGamers.Com we posted yet another news article that bemoans the lack of women in technical fields. The dearth of women in math, science, and computer-related fields is not new news, but it continues to be important news with far-reaching implications for women and society in general.

Some sources say that despite the increase of home PC’s and female Internet usage, the number of women going into computer science and engineering fields is actually decreasing. For example, according to Wired News, "the percentage of women getting bachelors degrees in computer science and engineering in 1984 was about 37 percent…today that number has fallen to about 20 percent."

This lack of women in math and science careers affects not only women’s job prospects and income, but also society as a whole. Without technological proficiency, women are not qualified for many of today’s better paying jobs. Additionally, the lack of women in technology has implications for what types of products are created and how they are designed. Males create male-centered products, often without even realizing it. This creates a vicious circle: women do not see their needs and interests reflected in technological products, so their interest in all things technical does not grow, which reduces the number of women in hi- tech positions.

There are complex societal factors underlying the fact that the number of women obtaining computer science degrees has actually decreased since the mid ‘80’s. What are those societal factors that dissuade females from pursuing math and science careers? What has changed since the 1980’s to cause the pendulum to swing backwards in this area?

The following are some possible factors that contribute to this gender imbalance in science and technical industries:

• Socialization: young girls are dissuaded in various overt and subtle ways from pursuing careers in math and science. While boys are encouraged from young ages to be interested in all things technical, it is still not considered acceptable for girls, or women, to be "computer geeks." Does anyone remember the Talking Barbie who said, "I hate math!"?
• Young girls’ access to computers is restricted in many ways, very early on in their lives. For example, young boys crowd around the computers at school, keeping girls away.
• There is a lack of computer game titles that appeal to girls, leading to fewer girls playing games than boys.
• There is a lack of female role models in math and science careers. How many female television and film characters do we see in technical positions, for example?
• The lack of female mentors for young girls interested in math and science.
• Females do not perceive engineering and computer science to be fields that help people or contribute to society. For example, one study of high school students found that many girls want a career that is socially positive and helps people. These girls ranked computer science and engineering as fields with zero potential for being able to accomplish that (Wired News).

Can you think of any other factors that might be contributing to the lack of women in technical careers, or what has changed since the 1980’s? Say your piece in our discussion forum.

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