4 ms·

I think most of it can be explained by this: > The percentage of female computer- and information-science majors peaked in 1984, at about 37 percent. It has de

I think most of it can be explained by this: > The percentage of female computer- and information-science majors peaked in 1984, at about 37 percent. It has declined, more or less steadily, ever since. Today it stands at 18 percent. In an environment that's over 80% male, not to mention largely young and/or single, women will have a rough time. I don't think SV is necessarily any worse than any other similar environment (e.g. infantry, oilfield work), but that's not high praise.

justincormack 10y ago
You don't think to ask why the ratio of women has halved?
- username223 10y ago
  I do, but I don't have a good answer. Maybe 65/35 is already beyond the cultural tipping point. Maybe women, who are more mature at college age and now make up a sizable majority of the undergrad population, realize that there are better options than tech. It's a bit off-topic, but this old Phil Greenspun article comes to mind: http://philip.greenspun.com/careers/women-in-science http://philip.greenspun.com/careers/women-in-science
  - ForHackernews 10y ago
    > realize that there are better options than tech. What would those be? Tech is relatively easy, relatively highly paid, it involves no hazardous work conditions, and it can be done from almost anywhere in the world with good internet connectivity.
    - username223 10y ago
      Travel nursing, for some people. Instead of putting in hours sitting and staring at a screen (which is somewhat hazardous in the long term), you work a 3-month stint for premium pay, then do whatever you want until you need more money. Or if you like interacting with people more than machines, sales and marketing are universal skills that are always in demand.
- flukus 10y ago
  Isn't that a question for women? Why haven't their number increased as much as men during the same period? My best guess is that it's due to social pressures from other women about being geeky and nothing to do with men.
jrnichols 10y ago
"In an environment that's over 80% male, not to mention largely young and/or single, women will have a rough time." I wonder if we ask the same questions about men in female dominated careers such as nursing, and ones where men have almost been driven out of, like K-12 education.
- DanBC 10y ago
  >I wonder if we ask the same questions about men in female dominated careers such as nursing, and ones where men have almost been driven out of, like K-12 education. This has been mentioned many times on HN. Yes, there are programmes to get more men into teaching young people, and into nursing. (Also more women into mining and construction).
  - jrnichols 10y ago
    Oh. Sorry. I've never seen it mentioned here. also: I had no idea there was even a down vote button on HN.

justincormack 10y ago

You don't think to ask why the ratio of women has halved?

username223 10y ago
I do, but I don't have a good answer. Maybe 65/35 is already beyond the cultural tipping point. Maybe women, who are more mature at college age and now make up a sizable majority of the undergrad population, realize that there are better options than tech. It's a bit off-topic, but this old Phil Greenspun article comes to mind: http://philip.greenspun.com/careers/women-in-science http://philip.greenspun.com/careers/women-in-science
- ForHackernews 10y ago
  > realize that there are better options than tech. What would those be? Tech is relatively easy, relatively highly paid, it involves no hazardous work conditions, and it can be done from almost anywhere in the world with good internet connectivity.
  - username223 10y ago
    Travel nursing, for some people. Instead of putting in hours sitting and staring at a screen (which is somewhat hazardous in the long term), you work a 3-month stint for premium pay, then do whatever you want until you need more money. Or if you like interacting with people more than machines, sales and marketing are universal skills that are always in demand.
flukus 10y ago
Isn't that a question for women? Why haven't their number increased as much as men during the same period? My best guess is that it's due to social pressures from other women about being geeky and nothing to do with men.

jrnichols 10y ago

"In an environment that's over 80% male, not to mention largely young and/or single, women will have a rough time." I wonder if we ask the same questions about men in female dominated careers such as nursing, and ones where men have almost been driven out of, like K-12 education.

DanBC 10y ago
>I wonder if we ask the same questions about men in female dominated careers such as nursing, and ones where men have almost been driven out of, like K-12 education. This has been mentioned many times on HN. Yes, there are programmes to get more men into teaching young people, and into nursing. (Also more women into mining and construction).
- jrnichols 10y ago
  Oh. Sorry. I've never seen it mentioned here. also: I had no idea there was even a down vote button on HN.