David Gerard wrote:
Also, you know how any technical field laments the strange lack of women? Technical fields have had that strange lack of women for a hundred years and still there's no solution to what the heck is culling them so early.
- d.
If you are interested: http://www.springerlink.com/content/v006kt042w30045r/
http://www.american.edu/sadker/thereportcard.htm
http://jte.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/53/2/168
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCG/is_2_30/ai_105478982
http://www.maec.org/beyond.html And from this last link:
*GENDER BIAS IN STUDENT/TEACHER INTERACTIONS*
Although most teachers believe that they treat girls and boys the same, research indicates that they frequently do not. Studies show that teachers often exhibit differential behavior even though circumstances do not warrant it. The teacher' sex seems to have little bearing on the outcome; it is the sex of the student that seems to make a difference. For example:
* Male students receive more of the teacher's attention (acceptance, praise, criticism, and remediation) and are given more time to talk in class from pre-school through college.^8 * Although differences among subject matter areas have not been well examined, recent research has found student-teacher interaction in science classes to be biased toward boys.^9 * Sex is a factor in the assignment of students to ability groups in mathematics, and males are more likely to be assigned to the high ability group.^10 * Males receive harsher punishment than girls even for the same or a similar offense.^11 * Teachers ask boys more higher order questions than they ask girls.^12
Some researchers suggest that differences in treatment contribute to girls' lower self-esteem, lower self-confidence, and reduced risk taking.