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So why do so few women enter the Computer Science program?
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Most have little or no exposure to it in their pre-university
studies, and they find little recreational software that appeals to them.
Therefore, they never seriously consider the major unless
they are encouraged by a relative or friend in the field or
by an outreach program run by a university.
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The media has quite clearly projected the image of
computer scientist as hacker: single minded, socially inept,
obsessed with his work. This is not a particularly appealing
professional goal [1].
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``The predominant themes of recreational computer games are war,
battles, crimes, destruction, and traditionally male-oriented sports and
hobbies [14]. Thus, it is not surprising that boys use computers in courses
and summer camps both earlier and more often than do girls.
A. Pearl, M. E. Pollack, E. Riskin, B. Thomas, E. Wolf, and A. Wu
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``I asked ten friends of mine, all girls and women of color,
to paint a picture for me of the person who came to mind when
I said the words `computer scientist.' Nine out of ten
said he was white."
C. Edwards
References/Resources!:}22
Next: Why do so many
Up: Accessibility of Computer Science:
Previous: Do women ``think" differently
Dianne O'Leary
1999-06-25