Gender Socialization Gender Inequity

1
Gender Socialization Gender Inequity for Girls
in Technology
2
Wheres the beef? Where are the women in
technology?

• Gender socialization at home
• Gender socialization at school
• Gender inequities in technology

3
Gender Socialization at Home

• Gift buying according to gender
• Early parental involvement and interaction with
  boys and Girls (separate standards and
  expectations)
• Literature, nursery rhymes, songs, and role
  models

4
Gender Socialization in the Classroom

• Teachers interaction with students
• Teacher Feedback
• Literature and textbook selections in the
  Classroom
• Differences in Communication Styles

5
Gender Inequities in Technology

• Despite greater need for people in technology,
  majority of students are male
• Despite enjoying math, science, and technology at
  early age, girls steer away during adolescence
• Software and video games geared towards boys and
  have male qualities greater usage
• Boys outnumber girls at computer camps
• Computers at home more often in boys room or
  neutral location.

6
Summary of Factors Contributing to Gender
Inequities in Technology (cont.)

• Little research conducted in use of computers as
  teaching tool
• Few teachers know how to incorporate technology
  into classroom
• Without training, teachers will not successfully
  incorporate advantage of computers
• Computers most effective when integrated into
  curriculum.

7
Summary of Factors Contributing to Gender
Inequities in Technology (cont.)

• Stereotypes permeate education system
• Computer industry perpetuates stereotyping even
  when creating software for girls
• Girls need more computer time in a friendly
  environment
• Studies show all-girl setting can prove
  beneficial in computer usage

8
Summary of Factors Contributing to Gender
Inequities in Technology (cont.)

• Parents and the home environment are critical in
  shaping childrens view of gender roles
• Gender stereotypes have negative impact on girls
• affects career paths, job opportunities, life
  decisions, and self-esteem

9
What can Parents do?

• Combat stereotyping games/activities
• Provide environment for girls to grow
• Introduce technology-related role models
• Send girls to math, science, computer camps

10
What can Teachers do?

• Stay abreast of technologies
• Use technologies throughout curriculum
• Have students use technologies for lessons
• Equity with computers

11
What can Teachers do?(cont.)

• Collaborative projects accountability
• Software biases
• Introduce role models into classroom
  http//www.nasa.gov/women/welcome.htmlmore
• Encourage girls math/science/tech
  

12
Something must be done!!!!
TEACHERS
PARENTS