Nerds Scare Off Women From Computer Science
December 17, 2009 | Nathaniel
So. Show of hands. How many female students out there are majoring in… ::dramatic pause:: Computer Science? Not many hands there, ladies. Mainly ‘cause I can’t see ‘em. Too bad I’m not on Skype. But this article claims that’s exactly the case. So, why aren’t you going for the “nerdy” end of majoring and degrees?
The answer is men. Or more accurately, it might be their nerdy objects (insert your own joke). You ain’t gonna find a nice man out there. Well, that might be exactly where you find a nice man. Someone TOO nice. You ain’t gonna find them tough dudes with their big trucks over here. Just us meager individuals with our Toyota Tercels from ten years ago and legos.
Or so the stereotype goes. Seems that recent studies find that the women who actually do steer clear of the more academic majors do so because of (amongst other reasons) the lack of desired suitors that lay therein. Now, girls. Apparently, you’re looking for a man but you might want to rethink basing your education on that desire. Pants a little too hot for you, ay?
Who says nerds aren’t hot? Urkel didn’t do it for you? Too far back? I’m not sure who today’s nerd icon is-OH! What about Screech? Nothing? Well, there’s gotta be someone out there playing with his Star Wars figurines that tickles your fancy, ladies.
Unfortunately (maybe?), this is leading to a male-dominated field. This means more product or consumables that are geared towards the man in you or at least the Star Trek collector in you. Think there’s too much cleavage in World of Warcraft for a nerd’s own good? Too bad there isn’t a woman’s point of view in the game design arena. Apparently, (at least according to the article) it’s because all you women with your positive influence were scared of the nerds.
But the fact is a lonely geek’s smelly apartment could use a woman’s touch just as much as computer science may be in need of some. Insert your own joke here.
Now, back to my comic book collection…
STUDY HARD!
Any feedback for me on this one? How many nerd stereotypes do you feel is too many? Begin communication!
I majored in English, and that was like going to an all-girls school. Very few men majoring in English, which is a pitty – do you know how many dates guys could get if they learned a few lines of Shakespeare? Plenty. Just think, if the science majors took a few English electives, everyone would be happy.