CS Stereotypes

It is widely known that there are relatively few women in the computer science industry. This is because there exists strong stereotypes associate with those who enter the field of computer science. These stereotypes create a difficult barrier for computer savvy women to overcome. Typical stereotypes include words such as "anti-social gamer" and "geeky nerd." Although I don't adhere to these stereotypes, it is easier for me to overcome the barrier that they create because I am closer to those stereotypes. When you think of an anti-social gamer, you almost always think of a male. When you think of a geeky nerd, you almost always think of a male. Even though I am a social non-gamer, it is easier for me to identify with the stereotype simply for the fact that I am a male. A social, non-gaming woman will have vastly more difficult time relating to this stereotype.