There is no doubt that, in our society today, computers and their technology is a male domain. From playing computer games to studying computer science. The majority of computer games are created with boys in mind (Brosnan, 1998, 1) and the percentage of women majoring in computer science (and related subjects such as software development and information systems) is strikingly low. The woman who does not know how to use a computer has become a stereotype that is supported everyday in the media; the women are excluded from the world of computers because the media refer mostly to men. In computer sections of the newspapers men are writing most of the articles, men are reviewing the latest computer games, and educational TV programs about computers have male hosts. But why do women not have the same interest in computers and their technology as men?
An issue closely linked to women’s lacking interest in computers and their technology, is the concept of Technophobia. Mark Brosnan discusses in depth in his book “Technophobia –the psychological impact of information technology” (1998, 1) the fact that women show a much higher rate of technophobia in many of the studies conducted through the last three decades. He argues that social learning affects not only girls own perception of their lack of abilities within technology, but it also affects boy’s perception of girl’s lacking abilities. This happens at an early age and the attitude that only boys are good with computers only gets stronger as the children get older. But is technophobia the same as “not interested in computers”? And is the gender division within the field of computer science the reflection of the difference in interest, or actually a difference in social upbringing?
This paper reviews some of the literature in regard to the subject of computer anxiety and computer attitude, and discusses its relation to the low enrollment of females in the field of computer science. To get a historical perspective of women’s involvement in computer science, this issue is also discussed in relation to today’s situation.
