Why We Need to Rethink the “Women in Tech” Boom @ The Daily Muse via violet.
Although tech industry women like Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg and HP’s Meg Whitman deserve praise for their leadership, the tech world needs more coder role models like Google’s Marisa Mayer. Only then are we ever going to convince the next generation that computer science isn’t just for boys.
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Hmm I’m not sure about her conclusion. I don’t think too many people go into computer science because of the role models. I’d say if you want to get more women or anyone into STEM the best thing to do would be to boost education and teach kids at a younger age.
Parents and educators play a big role in steering kids into STEM careers. I think the “role models” can be as much for these adults as for the kids. The role models help the adults break free from their stereotypes and their unfamiliarity with STEM. The adults will be more comfortable pushing their kids towards STEM if they can see the role models leading fulfilling lives as an engineer, programmer, or scientist.
I don’t think education is the problem. According to the very comprehensive report by the AAUW, most of the problems come from bias against women.
Either women aren’t perceived as being as capable or it’s considered something that girls just don’t do. Young girls show just as much interest in STEM when introduced to it in grade school, it’s only later that they’re discouraged because of social constructs.
Having role models is really important because it’s an easy way to point to someone and say “see, they’re doing it just fine.” Role models in general are unbelievably important.
http://www.aauw.org/learn/research/upload/whysofew.pdf
One of the teachers at my son’s elementary school teaches an electronics class and he was teaching them how to make music using transistors, capacitors and resistors. Until electronics reaches a level of “play” for children, they won’t learn it, pick it up or understand it because the understanding will be above some of them.
I agree with Zuul that children need to start at a young age but the parents need to be involved. I think the drawdio has to be on parent’s list and other fun kid stuff or they won’t pick it up until they are older.