Re:Top Myths About Teaching Computer Science (2015)
by timje1 on Friday March 18, 2016 @06:27AM
(#11310863)
This NPR podcast posits that the source of the current male / female divide in computing began in the early 80s as a result of home computer and videogame marketing. It's definitely worth a listen.
http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/10/21/357629765/when-...
Anecdotally, many people get into computer science originally because they're interested in programming because they like the idea of, for a major instance, creating video games. Surprise, many of these kids are male. Added to this is a general STEM selection bias.
So we need outreach about careers, opportunities, and the fun of CS and programming, much younger, and targeted at groups like girls who would otherwise be less likely to try it out on their own. Address our diversity issues from youth up rather than when it's too late.