The document discusses current issues in the field of computer science, specifically the low percentage of women represented. It notes that the participation of women in information technology and computer science courses is an important equity issue. Data is presented showing far fewer females than males enrolled in middle school technical education and computer science courses. Stereotyping of women as weaker in this field is also discussed as a challenge. Socialization and lack of access to computers for females negatively impacts their attitudes toward the subject.

1. Current Issues In The Field of
Computer Science
By Molly Martin

2. Gender Differences
One of the main issues
in Computer Science is that
there is a very low
percentage of women who
are in this field, compared to
men.

3. The low participation by women on both
the information technology industry and in
computer science courses in secondary school
and post secondary education is an important
equity issue in science education.

4. Middle School Enrolment Patterns:
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Tech Educaton
8
Tech Education
10
Computer
Education 11
Computer
Education 12
Females
Males
Column1

5. Most people are unaware of the low
percentage of women in IT careers, and few
realize that both the percentage and total
number of bachelors degrees awarded in
Computer Science to women have decreased
almost every over the last decade.

6. Stereotyping
Stereotyping is also a big issue. tend to
stereotype women into weaker dependent role
when it comes to Computer Science. It is shown
that males have a greater range of computer
experience than women, but that doesn’t mean
women should be considered weaker in this
field.

7. Socialization
Socialization and lack of access and
experience in computers have a negative impact
on females students attitude torwards
computers.

8. Resources
• Davies, A.R, M. Klawe, C. Nyhus, and H. Sullivan. "Gender
Issues in Computer Science Education." Gender I
ssues in Computer Science Education. University
of British Columbia. Web. 30 Oct. 2014. <http://
www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/nise/
news_activities/forums/klawepaper.htm>.
• https://www.diigo.com/user/mollyyylovesyou