Why Aren’t Women Interested in Computer Science? | Hacker News Reader

Why Aren’t Women Interested in Computer Science?

blogs.wsj.com

9 pointsSuper_luigi17 comments

I like this comment :

It’s because women don’t like to obsess over abstract concepts the way men do. Men are bent that way, women aren’t. Call it biology.

To say such offends some people, but that’s only because modern society holds scientists in such high esteem. In another age they will say “thank God it’s only men that were so afflicted”.

It’s a useful insanity. Not really healthy.

yeah it figures such blatant pandering towards regressive notions of gender roles would resonate with some people in this website

It may be incorrect, but how is it "regressive"? This is a common argumentative tactic: to suggest that one side (your side) is on the side of progress. Can you disprove it?

That's just your culturally-induced scientist-worship talking.

The researchers asked nearly 300 students from Stanford University and the University of Washington to describe computer science students. Intelligent, technology-oriented, singularly focused on computers, socially awkward, interested in science fiction and video games and physically unattractive were among the most common responses.

Ouch. Maybe if all male CS majors started working out regularly,female enrolment would improve?

>Maybe if all male CS majors started working out regularly,female enrolment would improve?

Well, I don't see male enrollment being that high for air-stewardresses or female enrollment being that high for fire departments either.

Maybe it's partly because Firemen's work is hard and physically demanding and your average firemen doesn't look like what you average woman imagines.

On the matter of most of us CS "geeks" and "nerds" looking not-so-attractive, it is simply because a lot of our lives happen online where your physical appearance doesn't matter and while growing up most of us didn't go to the popular kids parties and that way learn how to be social and look/dress confidently, so in a way if more females would be interested in CS and would pick up some of the worst cases the image of the whole group would rise in few generations, but that's not going to happen.

I feel like most CS majors only get hang of social etiquette and learn how to dress attractively after graduating.

Oh wow. Can you imagine the reverse? If there was a major with primarily female enrollment, and someone said "maybe if the women were more attractive, there'd be more men enrolled there", there would be outrage.

I can imagine the reverse. It's called Women's Studies.

Boom! Roasted.

Law or an MBA are easier and have the potential to pay better.

Law absolutely does not have the potential to pay better. In fact, it's now a net negative earner (IE loans > increase in earning capacity), and has been for a few years.

If you want something with the potential to pay better, try "master plumber", or any other profession where the majority are getting quite old and not being replaced because everyone wants their kids to go to college and become a doctor.

I assume you live in the States from your response. IT pay is fairly poor here in Spain. I can live comfortably, but difficult to afford a house, or save much for a pension.

(Though if what you say is true about it being law a net negative earner, then I am pleased to hear that).

"(Though if what you say is true about it being law a net negative earner, then I am pleased to hear that). " Out of curiosity, why would this please you?

A female master plumber would probably do extremely well. She would probably not be a threatening a presence in the home as a male for a lot of customers. I did know a female carpenter who did cabinet / kitchen work that made bank because of the same reason.

The study seemed to indicate that men were less affected by gender stereotyping then women. Why is that?

Biology.

When will we get over this complex? Who cares if a bunch of easily-swayed people go here or go there? Reserve your little social engineering projects for hard barriers. The field is already overrun enough with Johnny-come-lately dilettantes without legitimizing the idea that we need to pander to people who have zero passion for computers. When did computing become the property of the rabble and their endless clamoring for personal advantages ("rights", "equality")?

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