Are women more interested in the social good?

At ACM and other IT industry groups, it seems a shift in thinking is underway in how to attract more girls and young women into careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). By emphasizing the social impact of technology and its contribution to society, the story goes, more women will be interested in participating. Boys are interested in machines, while girls are interested in communications and people. But is this true?

An article in the February issue of Interactions Magazine quotes the results of recent research:

“For males, the attraction to computers comes early in life and appears to be magnetic. Males are more likely to be fascinated with the computer itself, find satisfaction in controlling and mastering a machine, and enjoy hacking for hacking’s sake. Females’ interest in computing is more likely to be one interest among several others. They are more likely to place a high value on the context of computing, the links between computers and other fields, and the contribution to society that computers can make. We refer to this orientation as ‘computing for a purpose’…. Many women who decide against studying computer science, either before or after starting, do so after concluding that their interests in application, helping people, and being a ‘people person’ do not have a place in computer science.”

It seems like a reasonable conclusion based on facts and interviews rather than opinion. But the recommended response somehow makes me uncomfortable, i.e., to emphasize the social impact of computing specifically to attract more women to the field.

A concern for the social good is certainly compatible with a STEM career, but its not sufficient. If you don't have an inherent interest in technology, and if you don't like investigating and analyzing problems for a living, you probably won't be happy in a STEM career. Downplaying that fact only postpones the day women drop out of the field, disillusioned. You wouldn't try to attract new accountants with little interest in crunching numbers, or nurses who can't stand the sight of blood.

On the other hand, there are fewer careers these days where its acceptable to be only interested in math or technology and not at all interested in people. Strong communication skills are increasingly important. At least in corporate IT, some of the biggest challenges are around communication, collaboration, managing expectations, and negotiating priorities. A new educational emphasis on the impact of technology on people can only help all students.

In my personal experience, there are both men and women who are interested in using technology for the social good, along with some who just aren't. It would be nice, I suppose, to think that women are more socially aware, but I haven't seen this.

To attract more girls to technology, I'd like to see efforts to make science and technology more fun and accessible to all kids, and problem solving more of a game. Girls' natural curiosity about why and how things work needs to be encouraged, and they must be willing to experiment, fail, and try again. Girls can be drawn into chess clubs, programming classes, specialty summer camps, enrichment programs, and other traditional routes into STEM careers, in the same way as boys.

Girls also need to be told that they don't need to pick any career based on its perceived social value. The social sector is increasingly sophisticated, and there's demand for all sorts of specialized skills, from technology to law to investment banking. Top business schools - those traditional bastions of individualism and private enterprise - are preparing graduates to use their unique skills in socially beneficial ways. Its up to each individual to figure out what they bring to the table, and find a way to be useful in addressing social challenges. Whatever path girls choose, there will be a way to contribute.

See also:
Stanford School of Business Center for Social Innovation
iD Tech Camps
Alice project for creating 3D games
Scratch beginning programming software
Chess Kids free online tutorials