Outline

Intro:

Thesis: Women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics field are at a disadvantage to their male peers when it comes to equality in their profession, specifically in engineering and computer-based careers.

As a woman in an engineering field, I have seen a significant difference in the amount of women as compared to men that were present in my classes. I want to dive further into why this is the case and why many STEM fields are occupied by a majority of men.

 

Argument 1: Starting from early education years, women are not equal to their male peers which in turn carries on to higher education. (will put sources in draft)

Evidence: From childhood, biased language and actions are used to subtly show women that boys are more capable than women

Evidence: Girls and young women do not get exposed to female scientists and engineers in books, television, or pop culture. One study found that if girls had as many role models of women inventors as boys do to male inventors, the gender gap in innovation could be cut in half.

Evidence: Only around 21% of engineering majors are women and around 19% of computer and information science majors are women.

 

Argument 2: There is bias in the workforce that deters women from wanting to place themselves in harsh environments (will put sources in draft)

Evidence: The workforce of the United States is made up nearly equally of men and women, but the STEM fields are less than 30% women

Evidence: There is a significant wage gap between men and women, with women in STEM earning $0.86 to a man’s $1

Evidence: Sexual harassment and abuse is an ever-present concern for females in the workforce, and the STEM fields are no exception, with 31% of women in computer jobs reporting some form of sexual harassment while at work. It is more likely to occur in male-dominated professions

 

Argument 3: Although the health science profession is made up of mostly women, the engineering and computer based professions are still non-inclusive when it comes to gender (will put sources in draft)

Evidence:  In computer occupations, a cluster of STEM jobs that has seen the most growth in recent decades, there has actually been a decrease in women’s representation, with 25% today as opposed to 32% in 1990.

Evidence: Men gravitate towards engineering and computer-based occupations if they have chosen to get into the field of STEM.

 

Counterargument: Women have an equal opportunity to pursue STEM careers as men and choose not to because they enjoy other fields of study more.

Evidence: There is no rule preventing women from entering into a male-dominated field. If women were as interested as men in science-based careers, there is not any big road block preventing it. Many women may not enjoy the stresses and pressure of an occupation such as engineering or math, and simply choose not to do it. Although there might be some minor challenges entering into a male dominated field, if a woman really was interested in a career in something, she would do it regardless of the set backs. Also, there is discrimination in most careers regardless, so there should be no difference in the challenges a women would face in a non-STEM versus a STEM profession. Many people also feel that it is easier to find a job as a women in science due to the scarcity of population. In an attempt to diversify companies, many jobs will hire women over men with the same qualifications. It is easy to see that it is actually a benefit to be a women in this field because it makes one a minority, which can be more desirable for companies.

Counter: Although it is true that the discrimination women face in non-STEM versus STEM careers only differs slightly, there is a larger generational problem that discourages women from STEM careers. These subtle biases starts in early childhood and carry on through college and adult life. Little girls are told that boys are better at math, better at problem solving, tougher, etc.. This creates a mentality that girls are not as capable. The mental implications then of these girls facing male dominated fields when they are older is terrifying. Women are belittled, made to feel inferior, and made to feel incompetent by men on a daily basis. It does not have to be outwardly obvious to be present. In the interview I conducted with a woman in STEM, she shared her experience with the subtle belittling: “I’ve certainly been called ‘dear’ or ‘sweetheart’… I sometimes feel talked over, and I’ve been told to smile by my patients, which to my knowledge, has not happened to my colleagues,” – Christina Athas. On paper, women and men have the same opportunity to pursue science based careers, but in action, it is more difficult than one might think. 

 

Conclusion: Women are just as capable as men when it comes to professional careers, especially in the field of STEM, yet are not always treated that way. We need to make a greater effort in schools and in adolescence to make sure women are empowered and encouraged to take on feats that might seem scary. The world now is not fit for male-dominated professions, and it needs to change. Men and women both should not be belittled, made to feel inferior, or be discriminated against for any reason. This is more about equality than anything; equality as children, equality in school, and equality in life. There has been much done already to get us most of the way there, but there is still a stigma that women are not as capable or willing as men, which is just not true. The world deserves to see women at their full potential, not hindered for any reason.