By: Milana Orth

 

There is no shortage of young girls expressing their interest in STEM fields. However, as girls get older there seems to be a sharp drop in the number of girls participating in science activities and science classes. Despite the systematic reasons contributing to the lack of women in STEM, there are tech corporations such as UBER and Google that don’t promote gender equity or inclusivity in the workplace. Women have also historically been left out of scientific research studies and discussions. Women’s perspective are then rarely considered.

In the media, there are very few strong, positive representations of women in a STEM field. If there is a woman working in a STEM field she is usually depicted as grouchy, mean, or not someone a young girl would want to aspire to be. Girls are not only rarely shown in a positive position of power but also have less than one-third of speaking roles in family/ children shows according to the nonprofit, Day of the Girl. Currently, 66% of 4th-grade girls say that they like science and math, although, only 18% of engineering majors are girls, according to the Chicago Tribune. Young girls experience discrimination from even their educators. A New York Times article by Eileen Pollack told her story and the stories of others experiencing blatant sexism regardless of how old they were. One teacher was reported to admittedly grade on a ‘girl curve’ because he believed girls were not as capable as boys.

Despite the statistical evidence that there is an issue of retaining women in STEM, many believe that women are simply not interested, biologically less capable or post-feminists. If the issue is not seen as one, then those in power may not feel the need to address it. For example, the former UBER CEO, president of Harvard, and a number of Google employees have all been recorded making sexist comments. Fewer women now see the tech industry as a safe option.

Currently there are more women entering a STEM field, but still only make-up 24% of the STEM workforce according to Day of the Girl. Historically, women were not allowed to hold high up positions in many STEM fields and were only hired to serve men. While progress in STEM gender diversity has been made, it’s important to focus on motivating and educating children.