Separation is Not the Answer: Getting Girls Interested in STEM Subjects
Last August, New York City mayoral potential Christine Quinn announced a plan to open five all-girls tech-based middle schools. She addressed the gender gap in areas like engineering and computer science when explaining her reasoning on Women’s Equality Day. Under her plan, each of the five New York City boroughs would open a STEM-based school designed to influence girls at a key point in their development.
By providing a special spot for young women, Quinn and plan supporters believe many of the perceived social and academic barriers that prevent girls from pursuing STEM subjects will be eliminated, leading to a better balanced workforce down the road.
Quinn’s plan is built on facts. Over twice as many boys in high school take computer science advanced placement tests than girls every year. It is not uncommon for the boys at STEM high schools to outnumber the girls by three to one. Yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook in STEM fields is expected to grow at double the rate of other fields. The jobs of today, and the future, are in science, technology, engineering and math. Girls need the encouragement to seek out these career paths that may not seem appealing in the socially-centric middle school years. By building schools just for girls, though, would educators be sending the wrong message?
Quinn unveiled her plan on a day that shines a spotlight on the sad state of the workplace when it comes to gender. Say what you will about shattered glass ceilings, and women moving up the ranks with no boundaries, but in truth women still only earn 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. The passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is intended to close this wage gap but I’m not convinced that any federal regulations can truly fix the problem. In a capitalist nation, it is not the government that determines the earnings of the workforce; the workforce itself does.
If three times the amount of high school boys are seeking advanced placement credits in subjects that will be in high demand in the workforce of the future, doesn’t it make sense that those males will earn more on the job? My guess is that candidate Quinn would argue that is the exact reason she has made this proposal – to give young women a better shot at being prepared for the jobs that are going to be available, and pay well, when they reach adulthood.
I’m not completely sure that singling out girls in this fashion will encourage them to chase down STEM-learning – not because this is a bad idea, but because middle school is too late. The road to cultural change when it comes to women and STEM subjects has to start long before the preteen years to be effective. From preschool, boys and girls need more encouragement in STEM areas. If both genders are treated equally from the start, and held to the same standards, there will be no need for gender-specific schools as they get older.
It won’t be a big deal if girls want to sit beside the boys in the advanced placement classes because it is normal behavior – just like coloring in Kindergarten or taking spelling tests in third grade. The stigma against girls and tech-learning runs much deeper than Quinn’s plan can fix.
Any attention the topic can receive, though, is a good thing. Quinn’s intentions are right but the timing is off. Perhaps her ideas will fan the embers of girl-based tech-learning and get many others fired up for the cause.
What do you think holds young women back from the pursuit of STEM subjects?
“If both genders are treated equally from the start, and held to the same standards, there will be no need for gender-specific schools as they get older.” I agree with this statement! It seems that the perception boys and girls get as early as primary school is that girls are good at reading and boys are good at math. Not so, but that’s the perception.
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thank you!
I think a lot of girls are steered towards non-STEM related subjects. However, I also think they naturally gravitate to other non-STEM careers on their own.
We need girls interested in STEM subjects –and we need to introduce these subjects when they are young, not once they are approaching high school.
I think a lot of the problem comes through biases and stereotypes that people don’t even realize they have. For example, my dad had no sons. So my sister and I were raised to love sports and to perform well in STEM areas, but we were also raised to act like dignified women. I have worked in engineering and, now, in computer programming/tech services. At the same time, I know how to run my own home, keep my house clean, be hospitable, cook, and budget. Having exposure to the more stereotypical “boys'” things (sports, STEM) and the more stereotypical “girls'” things (domestic duties, appearing feminine, etc.), I had a well-rounded upbringing. I think that’s the key – not adhering to stereotypes.
Great article. The problem in New Zealand IMHO (and I have done research) is bigger. The fact is that IT is not seen as cool and sexy. Anyone who has worked in it knows that is the most dynamic, empowering and world changing place to be. We are perpetuating a myth by making people code at school. Coding does not show the huge range or roles that are available now and in the future. Furthermore I have worked with some incredible programmers – guess what they majored in at University?? Music and Creative Arts. The only thing that matters in my opinion is that everyone gets access to find out what they love and are not put off by the stereotypes that exist. BTW I have been piloting a new approach and although there are four months to completion – incredible results.