Posted on 12/15/2009 2:39:33 PM PST by decimon
The stereotype of computer scientists as geeks who memorize Star Trek lines and never leave the lab may be driving women away from the field, a new study suggests.
And women can be turned off by just the physical environment, say, of a computer-science classroom or office that's strewn with objects considered "masculine geeky," such as video games and science-fiction stuff.
"When people think of computer science, the image that immediately pops into many of their minds is of the computer geek surrounded by such things as computer games, science-fiction memorabilia and junk food," said lead researcher Sapna Cheryan, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Washington. "That stereotype doesn't appeal to many women who don't like the portrait of masculinity that it evokes."
The upshot: Women don't feel they would fit in and so steer clear of computer-science majors and jobs, the researchers say. Such avoidance could help to explain why just 22 percent of computer-science graduates are women, a percentage that has been steadily decreasing, according to 2008 data from the National
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Stupid headline. I envisioned a mob of muslim geeks chasing women out of the building.
Maybe the media should stop spreading the stereotype if they are concerned about this.
You can’t mix matter and anti-matter cold...
:)
That’s fine with me. Less of a chance affirmative action will have an effect on my profession.
Yeah, right, like how women steer clear of math and science because their teachers told them to. Couldn’t possibly be because that’s just not what they want to do.
I actually think they may be on to explaining a good chunk of the math and science gap between the sexes.
Like missing a hole in the head.
So the stereotypes and geeks are to blame for women not entering these jobs.
Doesn't matter. It is a bad investment in a career anyway as jobs are offshored to India and even IBM is encouraging Americans to go abroad where they will work cheaper but "your dollar goes farther there".
Maybe the women need to be more tolerant of diversity.
This is correct........women should stay in the kitchen....barefoot and naked......isn’t that what the old saying was?
Funny, the science fiction memorabilia, junk food, and computer games were always my favorite part of computer science college environment. My favorite part of the job side of CS was the lack of other women...
Women might steer clear of studying it, but they seem to flock to computer nerds in the real world when they see the paychecks the nerds bring home.
The expression is barefoot and pregnant.
Brings to mind the legislator who wasn’t tolerating any discussion of why something wouldn’t work because “of the laws of physics”. She said something like “that’s no excuse, we pass the laws, we can change it...”
It’s not a joke thread, there was someone making this statement in the past week or two.
Science is a calling. If you don’t feel it, you probably should be there.
Next thing we’ll hear is how computer labs need to be made “less stuffy” and “more exciting”.
You are entirely right. But if the headline was "Muslims threathen and murder women everyday" then the authors could get hurt by people that are a real threat. So much easier to point the finger at harmess "geeks" who do nothing more than enjoy computers.
For that matter, why isn't NOW shouting to the rooftops about the Muslim "religion" that daily murders women? Because they are too busy moaning about how "the Patriarchy" in America opresses women by looking at them funny.
Wonder how many wedgies have been given out to that crew over the years.
The flannel shirt, the Santa Claus like beard, suspenders. Oh my God...UNIX PROGRAMMERS!
The stereotype of computer scientists as geeks who memorize Star Trek lines and never leave the lab may be driving women away from the field, or maybe women never really were very interested in “the field”. As Twain used to say, “Write without pay until somebody offers to pay you.” Geeky guys’ll spend so much time and money tinkering with gadgets; gals usually just aren’t that into it.
“This is correct........women should stay in the kitchen....barefoot and naked......isn’t that what the old saying was?”
Don’t forget their feet are shorter so they can stand closer to the sink....LOL
Anyone who makes career decisions based on stereotypes is messed up. I’ve known a few women in IT that really knew their stuff, but many more were eye candy that changed careers as soon as things got tough.
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