Girls are still undermined?

[nehalita]

Originally Posted by Pat Chen

Yes...it is the way in our culture but it doesn't have to be. When I was young...I took everything apart. It was years later when I told my parents what I did with their electrical equipment. The difference was....when I took it apart....I put the pieces on the floor the way I dismantled things...thus...I was able to put things back together and no one knew. I am sure that I was not the only girl who was doing the same thing.

That reminds me, I used to fear the "girl" stereotype so I used to secretly steal my dad's toolbox and lock myself up in a room to take apart my table/chair set over and over. It was the only thing I could take apart without my parents noticing but I think they noticed anyway and didn't mind.

Also, not to say that there's anything wrong with them, but I stopped playing Barbie's around the age of 4 or 5. They bored me because I couldn't do anything with them (actually thinking back, I don't think I ever did play with them...I got yelled at for neglecting them and not bothering to put their clothes on...too tedious...). Instead I enjoyed Lego's, the computer, and my keyboard. Those were the fine days...

To add to some of the issues brought up here. I definitely agree that workshops are beneficial. But as Ken brought up, a lot of engineering has to do with the though process. It'd be nice to encourage everyone to bring up their ideas and be assertive. I understand that all these qualities are not inborn but we live in a nature AND nurture environment. It can be cultivated. This isn't just a girl issue but I think it happens a lot with girls because they are afraid of being knocked down by boys because...well it's majority versus minority.

Also I would like to point out that many people felt that "it just wasn't a women's thing" to do humanity jobs and then science related and math related...but slowly that changed. I'm not insinuating that the same WILL happen with engineering but it's possible. In due time, we will see whether it's a gender schema or not. I personally feel it's the skills that are shown that make a difference. Girls have attain these skills or simply have them just as much as boys can. Those that agree, I'm glad, those that do not, well...we'll see =).