Discuss Gender issues that you see in the field of computer science studies.

Q. Discuss Gender issues that you see in the field of computer science studies.

Answer =

There are many factors that are attributed as Gender issues the reasons behind this. These are : -

(i) Preconceived Notions: - There are many preconceived notions prevalent that subconsciously play a role. Notions like 'boys are better at technical things, girls are good at humanities, arts etc.'; 'girls must take up a career keeping in mind that they have to raise a family. They must not take up high involvement careers', and 'Teaching is the best option for girls as it gives you half day off and ample number of holidays so that you can easily take care of your family', etc. have their impact in decision making of girls while taking up subjects.

(ii) Lack of Interest: - During primitive years, children often play games on computers/ smartphones. Most games available today are boys-centric that increase their interest in computers. Also, at homes boys get to play more on computers/smartphone (keeping in mind the entire India scenario) and develop more interest in computers than girls.

(iii) Lack of Motivation: - Girls are pressurized to choose a career option which will give them 'work life balance in favor of family roles they have to play later on. Girls are always told directly/indirectly in households that you have to play important family role later on and indulging in a subject which will consume most of your time is not advisable as no matter what, whatever job option you choose, you cannot shy away from your family role. This 'double burden' theory also discourages girls from taking up technical subjects like Computer Science.'

(iv) Lack of Role Models: - Girls these days see less of role models in the field of 'Computer Science' whom they can imitate. TV, movies, advertisements, everywhere it is portrayed that is technical fields like 'Computers Science', are men's fields. If you see a woman scientist in a team, there are 10 other scientists who are males, in a movie/advertisement etc. what would you think sub-consciously. All these things influence girls sub-psychologically and they infer that 'Computer Science' is for boys and do not take up the subject.

(v) Lack of Encouragement in class: - As there are lesser number of girls in a class, the teachers for most work-assignments end up choosing more boys. Also, less number of girls means, lesser peer-encouragement. Also, some teachers pin point on their roles in society such 'girls will get married and may not take it up as career'. All this may play as a hindrance and girls do not develop as much interest as they can in 'Computer Science' subjects.

(vi) Not Girl-Friendly Work-Culture: - It has been observed that when, in schools, work-partners are chosen, boys prefer boys over girls. And even if a girl and a boy are made work-partners, boys prefer to work actively and make girls silent observers. Boys are not comfortable in situations where they are not playing active roles. Even if girls are given separate computers to work on, they are very shy of working actively. As per a study, the problems mentioned by girls in a computer room are like 'insufficient access time', 'difficulty with maintenance' or 'insufficient peripherals available' etc. contrary to problems mentioned by boys such as 'software not usable', 'limitations of software', 'poor quality of help' etc.