Why do we need women in STEM fields?

I am from Canada, not the UK, however this is my point of view.



We don't need women (or men for that matter) in any specific field. However they should be welcome there. What we do need is different points of view, and people who challange the accepted values of an industry, causing that field to grow.



Can this be done without women: of course! Is it easier with women: absolutely.



The skills some of you have listed, are skills that we learn as children. We so drastically treat our daughters and sons differently, then go on to wonder why after 15-20 years of those differences they choose different career paths.



Men are raised to feel entitled to opportunities, women are raised to believe they are lucky to have a chance at all...



If there is any reason women NEED to be in STEM (science and technology, I don't know what the acronym is exactly) fields it is not due to physiological differences (I can find a male more feminine than myself and vice versa biologically), its to allow future females to know it is acceptable to do this work.



However if you want to see change, you have to do 2 things:



1) Demand more household support from your spouse. If you are going to be equal at work you MUST be equal at home as well.



2) Treat your daughters and sons the same. Expect the same, emotionally, accademically and for the love of all things science keep them away from dolls and vanities, in search of how things work and understanding the universe.



If you push your children (regardless of sex) they will grow knowing what hard work is.



I'd also like to point out that Diane isn't wrong, yet is. We raise girls to care imensley about their physical appearance, and how "nice they are". However being nice stops you from throwing your weight in when big decisions are made.



There are clear advantages to being good looking (to a point) for both males and females. However if you are serious about your career then your looks and ability to connect with people should be seen as a tool to advance yourself and NOT more important.



I was once, similarily to Iyesomi, told "I was the lovely face welcoming Young Professionals to the IET" - However I was insulted. I am an attractive woman, which I do captilize on for my career. However I don't want to be the face I want to be the brain. My colleague mean't nothing bad by it, however it reminds me the perception even the most liberal males can have on the female priorities.



My favorite quote on the subject is "Well-behaved women – women who don’t whine – are not the ones who make history or policy." - JUDITH TIMSON



I'd also like to point out, that the only way we will ever solve this, is to start talking to the sexist men (and women) who believe in clear gender roles. We must see how they think, understand what they are saying the PROVE THEM WRONG using their own logic.

Alyssa Randall:



Men are raised to feel entitled to opportunities, women are raised to believe they are lucky to have a chance at all...

 

Sorry to jump in, but I really disagree with this. My experience is that social class has a far bigger impact on entitlement and opportunities than gender does. But that's just my experience...



And I think the above discussion needs to be put into context. The cultural values in Nigeria are very different to the UK or Canada

Here is an article that sums up the importance of women in engineering!

My humble opinion? STEM fields need women because women think differently. I know I think differently to my husband, but that's why we both (usually) come to a balanced decision after thrashing out ideas.

Why not in the workplace? Bright, creative men and bright, creative women will come up with different ideas, based on their experiences. Both sets of ideas are valid; just like quiet, thoughtful people have just as valid an idea as those who think out loud.

Beauty has little to do with it. Socio-economics may have an influence, depending on the perception of further and higher education (let's remember, we feed off the opinions of the adults we grow up with until we make a decision for ourselves).

If engineering firms want to continue to 'get it right' in the modern world, they need to find more opinions and take risks with unfamiliar trains of thought.

Miriam Oliver:

My humble opinion? STEM fields need women because women think differently. I know I think differently to my husband, but that's why we both (usually) come to a balanced decision after thrashing out ideas.

Why not in the workplace? Bright, creative men and bright, creative women will come up with different ideas, based on their experiences. Both sets of ideas are valid; just like quiet, thoughtful people have just as valid an idea as those who think out loud.

Beauty has little to do with it. Socio-economics may have an influence, depending on the perception of further and higher education (let's remember, we feed off the opinions of the adults we grow up with until we make a decision for ourselves).

If engineering firms want to continue to 'get it right' in the modern world, they need to find more opinions and take risks with unfamiliar trains of thought.

Is your husband an engineer too? People keep saying that men and women think differently and such but do men and women engineers think differently about an engineering problem?



Also to the forum in general why are we making excuses here? We don't need to make excuses for why women should be in STEM fields, we should be in STEM fields because we are just as good at doing the job as anyone else. I certainly don't want to be hired for the new perspective I'm going to give a compnay/project I want to be hired because I'm the best engineer for the job. 

Hi Kerrie,



I would be very interested to see the results of your survey, if at all possible as I am looking at way in which the IET can engage with students of a similar age.



Feel free to drop me an e-mail at womensnetwork@theiet.org 



Kind regards,

Jo

Hi Kerrie,  again try STEMNET (http://www.stemscotland.com/) as a contact for your student survey.  Especially if you are in the Glasgow area the team there are very active - this is where I was an ambassador.  They have contacts in schools who may well be able - and willing to help.  If you talk to them they may also be able to share this among other regions (in case there are any regional differences).



Feel free to mention my name although I'm not sure if they will remember me as I have been away for a couple of years now.



Vikki

Kerrie,



you might want to talk to Hannah Dee at Aberwysthyth university or via the British Computer Society Women's SG.  I know she's been involved in a number of activity days to get school children interested in STEM.



A couple of years ago she was touring member groups with a talk on the falling numbers of STEM students, in particular female STEM students.  The title was "Where have all the women gone"