#IDWGS Essay: More Women Is Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics [stem] Fields; The Dream Of A Better Future by Uchechi Chiememalam Praise

In 1843, Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and writer, became the first ever computer programmer by developing the world’s first computer algorithm for Charles Babbage’s analytical engine. Her groundbreaking contributions to computing laid the foundation for women’s involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics [STEM] fields. Despite this early achievement, the representation of women in STEM is excessively low. Only 29% of STEM jobs are occupied by women. Some of the many reasons as to why men outnumber women in STEM fields are mentioned below.

The discovery of interests in school begins at a young age. Girls may discover that they have certain interests in science or engineering at an early age, but they are generally given less attention to pursue said careers in this field. This time frame is critical if attention is not given to such girls then they may at some point begin to loose interest in the career path. Jill Bystydzienski declares, “Little attention is paid, however, to girls’ engagements with engineering during early stages of decision making” (1-2). If young females were given personal interactions with a field, they can then decide if they have a further interest in the subject.

Funny enough, there are also many cultural and social reasons responsible for the fewer number of women in STEM fields. However the main reason why females are lower in number in STEM fields is unintentional gender bias. People don’t even realize when they are doing it, how that girls begin to fear that they will be deemed unattractive to boys if they are tagged as “brains”, how that successful women especially in STEM fields are seen as threats to men and as such majority of them do not get married at their desired ages, as a result all of these women try to seem and look “dumb” just so that they can be accepted in the society and by the opposite gender. Although we are in the 21st century where everyone seems to support gender equality, we can’t ignore the underlying discrimination amongst boys and girls that boys are meant for STEM fields and girls are not. A friend of mine told her mum she wanted to study Computer engineering, she didn’t object but she encouraged her to study nursing, “if you do engineering you will not have enough time to take care of your family”, her mother said. This is just a typical example of the unintentionality of it, her mother didn’t even realize she was being bias but the truth remains that she was.

In addition, because fewer women study and work in STEM fields, they tend to perpetuate inflexible, exclusionary and male dominated cultures that are not attractive to women who might be interested. So considering this even women who end up venturing into STEM fields have this pressure to prove themselves in a field filled with men, whilst being seen as an outsider. Such women often break down under such uncomfortable working conditions, leading to low self-esteem on their part, or their employers automatically assume they’re not going to cut it.

Another reason as to why women are significantly lower in number in STEM fields than men is because of lack of role models for the growing girls, when they do not see women practicing what they have interest in, they get discouraged and wonder if that path is for them or not. Statistics show that young females that are in the field currently earn about one third less than men and that women that get their Ph. D’s earn about 31% less than men, these statistics are available on the internet for interested parties to check out so if young females find this, coupled with the low amount of role models available then it just shuts off the possibility of making it in such field as a woman.

The stereotypical thinking of parents and teachers is discouraging as well, how that it is assumed that girls are not good at mathematics and science subjects which eventually decreases the self confidence among girls to solve said science and mathematics problems. The teachers tend to imply that girls have to work twice as hard as in their classrooms or workplaces than their male classmates or colleagues and as such some don’t even try again despite their interest at the time

But what are the significance of women in STEM fields, STEM fields need diverse viewpoints and diversity can only exists only with the presence of variation in a certain group. This variety can range from different genders, races, cultures etc. According to an article by Forbes, diverse teams actually produce better outcomes, it is known that alternative perspectives often lead to the best solution

When the seatbelt was first introduced, it was modelled to fit the male body, which resulted in the loss of lives of many women and children because their body types were not considered. Likewise, the first generation of airbags were built to protect adult men, meaning that women and children would die from impact. All of these would have been prevented if there were sufficient number of women in the STEM sector. So how do we change the system? We must recognize and address the bias, we must show them role models so they know that what they want to do is possible and achievable, according to Nichelle Nichols, an actress and NASA diversity and recruitment collaborator, she says that “Science is not a boy’s game. Science is not a girl’s game. Its everyone’s game”.

Personally I think that women and girls are just as capable as men, and that promoting gender equality in work fields and empowering and encouraging young women who are interested in STEM related fields would help create a new era for sustainability and equality in our planet, a planet where a dream of a better future would be possible.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am 18 yrs of age, I am a Christian, I was born on the 25th of July 2005. I am a twin, I am from Abia state, I like to try out new things. I just concluded my a levels education. I like to play the keyboard and sing, I also like to play volleyball. I explore new opportunities whenever it presents itself, I love to learn and study new things.