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Geeks Drive Girls Out of Computer Science
Live Science ^ | Dec 15, 2009 | Jeanna Bryner

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 ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Education; Society
KEYWORDS: computers; geeks; geeksquad; sexism
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The one-armed bandits of the computer lab don't need girls.
1 posted on 12/15/2009 2:39:36 PM PST by decimon
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To: decimon

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.


2 posted on 12/15/2009 2:41:26 PM PST by GeronL (Join the Palin Beer Summit Putsch!!)
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To: decimon

You can’t mix matter and anti-matter cold...

:)


3 posted on 12/15/2009 2:42:23 PM PST by WashStateGirl
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To: GeronL

That’s fine with me. Less of a chance affirmative action will have an effect on my profession.


4 posted on 12/15/2009 2:42:39 PM PST by derekr44
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To: decimon

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.


5 posted on 12/15/2009 2:43:11 PM PST by Tublecane
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To: GeronL

I actually think they may be on to explaining a good chunk of the math and science gap between the sexes.


6 posted on 12/15/2009 2:43:34 PM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: decimon
"...computer science is missing out on female perspectives."

Like missing a hole in the head.

7 posted on 12/15/2009 2:44:28 PM PST by Anti-Utopian
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To: decimon; Slings and Arrows; Revolting cat!
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.

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.


8 posted on 12/15/2009 2:44:52 PM PST by a fool in paradise (Question authority!Who is the University of East Anglia to drive the 'Global Climate Change' agenda?)
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To: decimon

This is correct........women should stay in the kitchen....barefoot and naked......isn’t that what the old saying was?


9 posted on 12/15/2009 2:45:13 PM PST by Seeking the truth (Ocents.com - You Lie & Socialist stamps, tees, mousepads, bumper stickers....etc)
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To: decimon

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...


10 posted on 12/15/2009 2:45:26 PM PST by JenB
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To: decimon

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.


11 posted on 12/15/2009 2:45:35 PM PST by thefactor (yes, as a matter of fact, i DID only read the excerpt)
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To: Seeking the truth
LOL! Barefoot and pregnant, not naked. But yes, I can tell you from personal experience that the only thing a female adds to a computer science or electronics lab is Hello Kitty stickers.
12 posted on 12/15/2009 2:47:58 PM PST by Anti-Utopian
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To: Seeking the truth

The expression is barefoot and pregnant.


13 posted on 12/15/2009 2:48:37 PM PST by T bench ("God wills it." Urban II)
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To: Anti-Utopian

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”.


14 posted on 12/15/2009 2:48:39 PM PST by a fool in paradise (Question authority!Who is the University of East Anglia to drive the 'Global Climate Change' agenda?)
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To: decimon
Whatever reason men may have to study computer science, it is not that they’re expecting to meet a lot of female super models there. Now, if they study computer science anyway, why can’t women do the same?
15 posted on 12/15/2009 2:48:45 PM PST by cartan
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To: GeronL
HEADLINE: Men should stop being who they are because it offends women.

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.

16 posted on 12/15/2009 2:48:52 PM PST by 50sDad (The Left cannot understand life is not in a test tube. Raise taxes, & jobs go away.)
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To: a fool in paradise
Can't imagine the net worth of that photo...and the net amount of poly-blend materials.

Wonder how many wedgies have been given out to that crew over the years.

17 posted on 12/15/2009 2:48:52 PM PST by thefactor (yes, as a matter of fact, i DID only read the excerpt)
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To: a fool in paradise

The flannel shirt, the Santa Claus like beard, suspenders. Oh my God...UNIX PROGRAMMERS!


18 posted on 12/15/2009 2:48:54 PM PST by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: 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, 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.


19 posted on 12/15/2009 2:48:55 PM PST by flowerplough ( Pennsylvania today - New New Jersey meets North West Virginia.)
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To: Seeking the truth

“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.


20 posted on 12/15/2009 2:49:30 PM PST by DonaldC (A nation cannot stand in the absence of religious principle.)
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