Women and Technolgy - The Gender Gap in Computer Science Essay

Women and Technolgy - The Gender Gap in Computer Science Abstract: This paper reviews the gender gap that exists in computer science. By analyzing the probable causes of the divide, solutions may be developed and possibilities of minimizing the gap increase. Although the general public’s efforts toward shrinking the divide subsist, modern society must change its views of women before the technological world can fully appreciate women’s talents. A gender gap undeniably exists in the field of computer science. Hundreds of headlines in newspapers, journal articles, and magazines continually demonstrate the divide to society, and studies performed by well-respected universities like Harvard and MIT highlight its continuing effects. More recent studies provide evidence that the number of women in computer science is decreasing, despite the recruiting efforts of the technology field. The underrepresentation of women results from stereotypes of computer scientists, weaknesses within the computing community, and the social construction of women in computer science. In order to boost women's presence in technology, society must have a firm grasp on the problems themselves, and address them with fundamental changes in the way we perceive women in computer science on the cognitive level. The increasing gender divide in computer science is well documented. As an issue of Technical Training recorded, â€Å"intake of [women] computer science students in the UK has dropped from 37 percent a decade ago to 5 percent in 1998.†[5] Other nations, including the United States, have noticed a decline in the number of women in the field. New Scientist found, â€Å"[w]omen dominate in several subjects, namely degrees preparing students to be infant sch... ...un IT, Bill Goodwin. [9] Newsbytes, January 16, 2001, 337 words, Gender Salary Gap Smaller in Tech Industry – Study, Dick Kelsey [10] Information Week, August 9, 1999, Women Make Gains in Top Management, Jennifer Mateyaschuk. [11] http://www.mills.edu/ACAD_INFO/MCS/SPERTUS/Gender/pap/pap.html Why are There so Few Female Computer Scientists? Ellen Spertus - 1991 [12] The Times Union, February 7, 2001, 565 words, Albany, N.Y., Council Meeting Offers Women Advice on Using Technology, Danielle T. Furfaro. [13] Achieving Gender Equity in Science Classrooms, 1996, NECUSE Colleges and Brown University students and faculty [14] Encouraging Women in Computer Science, 1996, Eric S. Roberts (Stanford University) [15] Electronic Engineering Times, February 12, 2001, 1261 words, Engineers Week Aim: to Reach Schoolgirls, Terry Costlow