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Re: Girls in Engineering- Comic that explains it all
I don't disagree that the comic is a little simplistic (yet I am amused), and I won't call out anyone in particular, because I'm sure the sentiment is sadly widespread, but:
Saying that it's not about the toy, or that women "just don't want to be" in engineering, doesn't really cut it. There are demonstrative patterns of discouragement toward young girls who express interest in or talent for science, math, and engineering. I'm not sure I realized it in high school, but looking back on it with the perspective of four years of an engineering degree and four years in the industry, I'm a little shocked at how negatively -- albeit probably subconsciously -- people responded to my interest (thankfully I had some wonderfully supportive parents and FIRST mentors). A lot of this even occurred, I'm sad to say, within the context of FIRST events. And don't even get me started on the continued sexism and discouragement my female friends and I have encountered out here in "the real world".
Yes, there are lots of things you can do to explode Barbie instead of dress her up and cut her hair. But kids are given toys with the expectation that they will do a certain thing with them. That expectation is strong, and can really alter the way a kid behaves. If I blew up Barbie with a rocket launch kit, most parents wouldn't say "ah, a future pyrotechnic engineer!" and give me more Barbies and rockets. They'd take the rocket kit away from me since it would make me "violent" -- and girls don't do that, you know. The toys may be inherently genderless, but the reactions of those around you to how you play with them do shape your behavior.
Men and women do think differently. Lots of people think differently. We don't write off large percentages of the population because they have brown hair instead of blonde or they're different races or they're tall instead of short -- and hey, those are genetic and biological differences. Why write off women? Why not try to understand why there aren't more, and see how engineering could change -- probably for the better! -- through more and unique input from an underrepresented portion of the population?
Also keep in mind -- the generalization that "women just aren't predisposed to like engineering" can make those of us who DO love engineering feel like freaks. Do I have a more "male" brain? Am I less feminine? Or did I just happen to grow up under the right set of conditions that fostered a love and passion for science and technology? I like to think it's the latter, and that it's something I can pass on to other kids I mentor or, eventually, parent.
As you may guess I have very strong feelings on this topic. I don't want to prevent discussion -- discussion is good! -- but think hard about what you say and assume and how it affects the women you work with in FIRST, school, and your job.
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Mikell Taylor
Real-life robotics engineer
Mentor to team 5592, Far North Robotics
Back in the day:
President, Boston Regional Planning Committee
Mentor, team 2124
Captain, team 677
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