What if Women want to study Computer Science, and What if They Don't?

When thinking of technology, the idea of discrimination doesn't quickly come to mind.  "The Incredible Shrinking Pipeline" discusses the decreasing presence of women in the computer science workforce.  While only 2% of men and less than 1% of women, in 2008 according to facts presented in the lecture, are even deciding to make computer science part of their careers, it is important to realize that this outlet is a crucial part of the future.  More specifically, it appears that success in computer science is geared directly towards men than women.

This idea that women are less capable of working successfully within computer sciences is explicitly discriminatory.  Whether it's products being made or jobs held, women are considered less knowledgeable and less capable to adapt than men.  Looking deeper into this story, I found an article published in Harvard University's Crimson publication.  In April of this year, Crimson reporter Irene Chen wrote that "of the 51 sophomores who declared computer science this year, 21 were women."  She adds that, though this is an increase, women don't have "role models" in the field -which could be a reason why they change their minds.  However, when looking at this issue from an opposite perspective, I think, If women aren't interested in compute r science, should society or lack of female presence force them to become interested?

Granted, most computer programming and software developers are men and their influence is undeniable.  Many popular video games portray women as sexy, with unrealistically curvaceous bodies dressed in next-to-nothing.  Even a strong, female character like Lara Croft is sexualized by a larger bust,  a midriff exposing t-shirt, and short shorts.   However, while Croft may be more of a badass than the next male hero, the character's back story includes sexual assault, playing into the theory that women are vulnerable and men can just be evil.

If a game is centered around a woman, it seems to be dumbed down and set in some type of gender specific atmosphere.  Professor Meraz discusses the game Diner Dash, in which the lone, female character is a waitress, responsible for taking orders, serving, and cleaning up.  Clearly, this game was not thought up by a woman.  Also, the objective of playing is simple enough for a woman to understand, therefore re-establishing the fact that the complex nature of computer science is wasted on women.

Gender argument aside, however -why should women want to study something if they're not interested?  The key point in each article I've read and Professor Meraz's lecture seems to be that women shy away from studying computer science because they feel patronized in class.  But I'm a firm believer in passion conquering all, no matter what obstacles stand in one's way.  So, if  there are a few women who are serious and passionate about computer science, shouldn't they succeed above the women who are studying it just to get a degree?  If the solution seems to be more women in computer science to be role models and inspirations for others, shouldn't those women be the select few that are truly committed?

In class, we talked about features of communication like framing, salience, and culture.  So far, computer sciences have been framed by what men excel at, therefore selling products that men like and want to see more of.  To really get to the core of this topic, so many things have to be looked at.  How many women are actually avid gamers or avidly buying and using any type of computer software other than Microsoft Office products.  If the results are majority male, should women really be that concerned?

Our culture has already framed these roles anyway.  Male gamers or computer scientists have been culturally framed as "lazy" or "nerdy."  Female gamers are framed as "one of the guys" or a "guy's girl" -which aren't necessarily bad things.  As a woman, I'd rather develop something more salient anyway.  There's not really an abundance of meaningful information behind something like Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty -and if there is, I think it's fair to assume that many gamers aren't taking that information to heart. 

Regardless of what a woman or man wants to study, people should be made to feel comfortable and competent in any field of study.  Also, while this type of discrimination is wrong, it shouldn't be forced upon women to make them feel like they should want to become a part of the female software programmer minority.