Amanda Hammond

It 365
Monday 6:30
Ms. Green
TurnItIn Assignment

Gender bias is a preference of one gender, or sex, over the other. In

dealing with technology, gender bias refers to choosing one preference
over the other in computer softwares. Researchers found in a study of
middle school students in 1994 that one girl out of four boys regularly used
a computer. This is known as a gender bias in technology and the problem
only seems to get worse as students grow older. There is much evidence
in this problem, just look into any computer lab and it is clear that boys are
using computers more than girls. There is some progress, but as research
shows, there is still much work that needs to be done in including more
girls into the technology world. As the research shows, girls seem to loose
interest in technology when they enter their adolescence years. There are
a number of theories that describe reasoning behind this phenomenon.
One reason is that technology is approached differently by girls, another is
the influence of parents on their daughters. One theory is that teachers
and the overall education experience has a major negative influence on
girls and technology. The most logical explanation is that most girls are
influenced by their female role models, and the tradition has always been
for males to be more dominant.
Both boys and girls consider computers and computer games to be
a boys’ toy. Even though boys are more likely to choose to play with
computers and computer generated games, both boys and girls can be
equally skilled to use them. The statistics show that more men are working
in computer-related fields, most likely due to the fact that young boys play
video and computer-related games more than girls. Boys are also more
likely to play with computers and participate in computer-related clubs.
Although most girls have had the same exposure to computers, boys still
tend to be more drawn to them.
An important way to help close the gap on the gender biasness in
computer technology is to pay attention to the influences that girls’ role
models have. The ones that are around young girls have the greatest
opportunity to influence them on integrating technology into their lives.
Parents have the greatest influence of all on young girls, but teachers and
the educational system also have the ability to shape their ideas about the
computer field. The role models of young girls need to remember that their
words are most influential, and that shaping their image of the computer
field goes beyond just instructing them.