Gender in Computer ScienceSIGCSEWhat I can doFiguresMythsMyths IIMyths IIIStereotypesGender NON-differencesMore gender NON-differencesReal gender differencesConfidenceWhy women drop outFactors undermining self confidenceInteresting tidbitsJob prospectsConclusionsOne more thing...The EndJan 13, 2019Gender in Computer ScienceSIGCSESIGSCE is the Special Interest Group in Computer Science EducationI attend the SIGCSE annual conference each yearA common theme, this year and every year, is attracting women to computer science—and keeping themThere was very little new this year, so I’m just using last year’s slides (with minor modifications)Many of these same comments apply to other minoritiesI am very interested in this problemWhat I can doNot much :-(Most losses occur during the second yearI can give you:some facts and figuressome research resultssome opinionsFiguresEnrollment in computer science programs reached a peak in 1986, then declined until 1996There has been an upward trend from 1996 to 2000We don’t have good figures past 2000, but the trend is downward againAt this university, the trend is definitely downwardIn 1986, female enrollment reached a peak of 40%During the period 1986 to 1996:Men majoring in computer science dropped by 33%Women majoring in computer science dropped by 55%Other minorities also dropped by larger amounts than white malesWhy?MythsBoth men and women incorrectly believe that men in CS have higher GPAs than womenFact: There is no difference in GPAsFact: In my MCIT program, there is no gender difference in GREs of admitted studentsWomen who succeed in CS are often viewed as “exceptional”Fact: Women and men are equally capableBoth groups do equally well on assignmentsBoth groups do equally well on examinationsFact: Women do not have to be “better than men” to succeedMyths IIMyth: Some people just have a “computer gene”Fact: From a biological standpoint, it’s obvious that there is no such thingFact: As with anything, there are individual differences in abilityIt is commonly believed (among teachers) that anyone can be taught to programFact: If you work hard, you will succeedNo one is born with these skillsFact: Many computer “hotshots” aren’t really very goodMy belief: There is a positive feedback loop between enjoying an activity and being good at itMyths IIIMyth: Computer programming is for “loners” and is basically an antisocial (or at least nonsocial) activityFact: Prospective employers shun loners and look for people who work well with othersFact: Large programs are group effortsFact: Most programming methodologies are about how to best organize the programming teamFact: In an educational setting, we typically insist on individual effort, mostly in an attempt to grade fairly—but this does not reflect “real world” practiceStereotypesStereotype: Computer science majors are intelligent but lack interpersonal skillsFact: Like all stereotypes, there are individuals who fit the stereotype—but most do notStereotype: Successful computer science majors “don’t have a life” but spend all their time at the computerFact: Almost all computer scientists do have a lifeFact: However, CS majors do spend significantly more time on schoolwork than non-CS majorsIn my personal experience: Obsessive programmers are less likely to succeedGender NON-differencesResearch results show no significant differences between men and women in:College GPAACT math, science, and composite scoresInterest in majoring in CSBelief that CS is a worthwhile majorNumber of hours per week spent on schoolworkBut: CS majors spend more time than non-majorsAge of first computer useBut: Males generally have more access to computersKnowledge of what CS is all aboutMore gender NON-differencesEstimate of how many hours computer scientists workBut: There are differences in estimated compensationFact: Women are, on average, not as well paid as menFact: The difference is much less in the computer field than in most other, non-technical fieldsImportance placed on having a familyBelief that family life and career would be compatible for womenStress levelSupport and encouragement from othersSelf esteemReal gender differencesResearch results show these statistically significant differencesMen have higher educational aspirationsMen value extrinsic rewards (e.g. money) moreMen are higher in aggressiveness and dominanceBut: No difference in kindness or nurturingBiggest difference: Men are more confident of their own abilityConfidenceConfidence in ability to write a computer program:Students with high math ACT scoresMale CS majors: 63%Male non-CS majors: 60%Female CS majors: 48%Female non-CS majors: 44%Students with low math ACT scoresMale CS majors: 53%Male non-CS majors: 49%Female CS majors: 37%Female non-CS majors: 34%Especially interesting: High-scoring female CS students vs. low-scoring male non-CS studentsWhy women drop outAccording to one study, females suffer a loss of interest in the field, preceded by a loss of self-confidenceProbable causes of loss of confidence:Inaccurate belief that women have lower abilityLack of awareness of excellent income opportunitiesConflict between a woman’s view of herself and (inaccurate) stereotype of “computer nerds”“Stereotype threat”: Fear of confirming the stereotypeLess playful and relaxed attitude toward computersFactors undermining self confidence(Note: These are opinions, not research results)Computer science is hard—everyone has difficultyMen are less willing than women to admit to having difficulties, hence often appear more capable than they really areThe field is wide as well as deep: “You’re a computer science major and you don’t know that?”In programming, virtually all your mistakes are stupid ones—everyone’s mistakes are stupid ones—and it’s easy to mistake this for a personal failingInteresting tidbitsPercentage of women earning a bachelor’s degree is significantly lower if the CS department is in the College of Engineering rather than in the College of Arts and SciencesUnder-representation of women in CS appears to be a cultural problemNot true in historically black colleges and
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