Where are All the Women in Web Development?

Error message

  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in menu_set_active_trail() (line 2405 of /home1/markspap/public_html/kathy/includes/menu.inc).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home1/markspap/public_html/kathy/includes/common.inc).
May 25, 2015

So, lately I’ve been hearing a lot about the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, including my own field of web development. Over the last few years it’s become something of a hot topic.  When the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology predicts a shortfall of 1 million STEM workers over the next decade, people tend to talk.

Why should women want to work in STEM fields?  That’s easy.  As the Department of Commerce pointed out, “women earn on average 33 percent more when they work in these high-growth fields.” (Women in STEM: A Gender Gap to Innovation [August 2011].)

So, duh. Who wouldn’t want to earn more money? Need more incentive to follow your interest in, say, computers?  Forget about e-Harmony.  If you're a young woman looking to meet guys, sign up for a CS class. Seriously.  

With the economy as rough as it is, you’d think women would be flocking to majors in technology and computer science, including web development. Yet the data shows women aren’t entering those fields in college. A recent study by the AAUW revealed that, though "as many girls as boys leave high school prepared to pursue science and engineering majors in college...By [college] graduation, men outnumber women in nearly every science and engineering field”—in some fields, women make up less than 20% of graduates.  In fact, in 2008-09 a mere "31.0% of the degrees in STEM fields were earned by women" (Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

What the heck is going on? We know it’s not a lack of smarts. Girls do as well as boys in these subjects right up through high school.  I doubt that girls reach 18 and suddenly don’t care about making a decent living.  So what discourages these otherwise capable young women from pursuing the math, science and technology studies they were so good at in high school?

A 2012 Yale study published by the National Academy of Scienes may shed some light.  In their study, the researchers proved "that physicists, chemists and biologists are likely to view a young male scientist more favorably than a woman with the same qualifications. Presented with identical summaries of the accomplishments of two imaginary applicants, professors at six major research institutions were significantly more willing to offer the man a job. If they did hire the woman, they set her salary, on average, nearly $4,000 lower than the man’s. Surprisingly, female scientists were as biased as their male counterparts" (Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students).

Is there gender bias against women in the fields of science, math, engineering and technology?  Studies say yes.  The research indicates that men and women in web development and other tech fields look less favorably on females.   Most women in our industry would agree.  It’s not easy being in the minority, and women can find it dificult to be accepted in the traditionally machismo world of development.

No one likes to think of themselves as biased.  We need to believe we are good and fair people...which is why denial often comes into play at this point.  But the best way to meet statistics like these is acceptance--accept the fact that we're all a little prejudiced, shake your head at the innumerable follies of humankind, then vow to do do better and move on.

In a recent survey of women in technology, the majority of them cited a supportive mentor and opportunities to learn as major factors in their choosing and sticking with a career in development.  In other words, helping a young woman learn to code might just make her want to go into and stay in web development.  Helping each other doesn't seem like a big price to pay now, does it?

Comments

Beneficial posts. With thanks. how to write a visual analysis essay write my papers for me professional resume writing service how to write a good essay for college essays writers cv writing services london

Its not my first time to pay a quick visit this site, i am visiting this site dailly and obtain nice data from here every day.

Hello I am so happy I found your blog page, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome work.

Want to have your own business, but have little money in your pocket?
Everything can be solved today and right now!

New Year's Promotion 2025
Prices are reduced three times. Get an additional discount of 25%

Sales start from 11.11.24

Be among the first, do not miss your chance to become the owner of MetaTrader4Server

The number of sales, the time of the Promotion is strictly limited.
MetaTrader4Server at a price of 9900 Euro to 14900 Euro
MetaTrader4Server license from 3 euros to 4.5 euros per day

Today, your dream is real and accessible - everything is in your hands.
Any questions left? Write Consultations are free.

Skype: hi-tech-fx

More in detail read here:
https://hi-tech-fx.com/MetaTrader4/en/MetaTrader4_2025_en.pdf

each time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading at this place.

Кomпания "Скважина Минск" предоставляет услуги по профессиональному бурению скважин на воду с обустройством в Минском районе и области под клю <a href="http://hcrey.net/index.php/2019/03/04/hello-world/?unapproved=1010942&mo...

Appreciation to my father who stated to me about this website this webpage is really remarkable.

Selling GramBit casino script Our team will help you open your online casino. our games are written in HTML5 and work on all platforms on smartphones and PCs our platform can be run as an online casino or a club casino Our casino has more than 2500 games We do not limit the casino by ip and domains We connect any payment systems Our web developers make a unique casino design after purchasing a casino you get our support and updates It is possible to sell the source code. Contacts: Telegram: https://t.me/grambitmaster mail: supportgrambit.pro

What i don't realize is actually how you are not really much more neatly-appreciated than you may be right now. You're so intelligent. You already know thus considerably in relation to this topic, made me for my part consider it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men aren't fascinated unless it's something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs nice. All the time care for it up!

I every time spent my half an hour to read this blogs articles or reviews every day along with a mug of coffee.

Hi there! I could have sworn I've been to this web site before but after looking at many of the articles I realized it's new to me. Regardless, I'm certainly delighted I came across it and I'll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!

Great write ups. Thank you missouri online casino sites credit card casinos spin casino online casino top paying online casinos indiana online casinos majestic 777 casino online

Интерфейс таких платформ обычно прост и доступен, что делает их привлекательными для новичков и профессионалов. Основные функции ориентированы на то, чтобы дать трейдерам возможность анализировать рыночные тенденции, а также быстро и безошибочно выполнять сделки <a href="http://users.atw.hu/sajprobaoldalam/modules.php?name=Journal&file=displa...

Sex videos online watch for free from anywhere in the world without subscription and registration <a href="https://1win-official.com/">kids porn</a>

I truly love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as Im attempting to create my very own site and would love to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Thank you

Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told was once a leisure account it. Look advanced to more introduced agreeable from you However how can we keep up a correspondence?

Thanks a lot I value this. online casino vegas x online poker for real money how to start casino work gta online new online casinos real money 2021 safe online casino with generous welcome bonuses free money codes for online casinos

Helpful material. Cheers. writing an application essay dissertation proposal template dissertation research dissertation results how to write a short biography how to write a college argumentative essay

For newest information you have to go to see world-wide-web and on world-wide-web I found this site as a most excellent site for hottest updates.

Im curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing? Im experiencing some small security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?

Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Many thanks

With thanks I value it dissertation introduction custom college papers best online writing services top writing service dissertation writing help writing help for students

Ive been surfing online greater than three hours as of late yet I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It is lovely worth sufficient for me. In my view if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did the internet shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.

Whoa many of useful info online casino developers enterprise casino in auckland new zealand bayview online casino dealer hardrock online casino gambling app promos roll dice online casino

Hi there its pleasant piece of writing concerning media print we all understand media is a great source of information.

Every weekend i used to visit this site, for the reason that i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this web page conations in fact nice funny material too.

Pages

Add new comment