We Aren’t Oppressed

Why there Should be Fewer “Women in Science” Programs

The Disclaimer (feel free to skip): *Before you start calling me sexist, let me explain my background. I am a thirteen year old girl in the eighth grade who has always been in gifted programs. I have skipped a grade in math and science and am in all honors in all other classes; my favorite courses are math and science. In fact, when I grow up, I want to be a professor or researcher of genetics or neuroscience. In no way am I opposed to women having careers in science, and I do, in fact, consider myself a feminist, by the dictionary definition of the word. I am appalled by stories of women not being able to get an education in some third-world countries, and I fully support any girl who wants to be a scientist. What I do disapprove of are most modern Western feminists and their “women in science” programs.*

Women should certainly be exposed to science, just as much as men. I fully believe that both genders should have all available resources to explore their interests. However, especially in the last decade, there have been many special classes about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) with only women. These programs claim to help women realize their potential and escape sexism. What many people don’t seem to understand is how little sexism against women there still is today. In fact, society is leaning towards sexism against men. Because of some extreme third-wave “feminists,” women are being coddled and infantilized (the very thing that they preach against). A politically-correct society has forced many universities or employers to choose women over men to achieve diversity instead of considering the most qualified applicant. If that happens to be a man, so be it. It’s the same with a woman. The laws in America give women equal rights. Nobody can legally stop us from pursuing what we want to (as long as it is legal), be it becoming an astrophysicist or a housewife. There is no sexism in America.

Which brings us to the main problem with women-in-stem courses; they’re insulting. What they tell young women is that we need help to be scientists. There are no “boys in science” programs, so that must mean that boys don’t need as much help as girls. This in turn gives girls the message that they aren’t as good at science. The very existence of these programs insults the intelligence of girls. They seem to say that we need more assistance than men to excel in science. This is, first of all, untrue, and, second of all, very rude. The reason that there are fewer women than men in science is usually said by liberals to be lower self-confidence. Why, then, should we diminish the self-confidence of girls by giving them separate STEM classes than boys? Mixed-gender classes could reach both boys and girls, providing truly equal opportunities to both. That way, girls would be more confident, as they would not be ranked in a separate “girls” category, but instead against all of their peers. Young girls would also be exposed to STEM and see if they really like it.

Which brings up the second problem with the women in STEM initiatives: it makes some of us feel guilty. We are surrounded with statistics about how few women are in certain fields, often accompanied by editorials about how girls just aren’t self-confident enough to enter those fields. I personally have always found the biological sciences, especially genetics and psychology, to be the most interesting subjects of study. The initiative convinces girls like me who don’t want to go into traditionally male sciences (math, physics, engineering, computers/tech., etc.) that we are victimized and confused, along with girls who want to be designers, chefs, housewives, lawyers, or non-STEM careers. Freedom should be just that; women should be able to choose to be tennis players or physicists. The worst part is that the feminists behind the initiatives are preaching “empowerment to women” while shaming us for making our own decisions and doing what we want to do. Being condescending to those who don’t agree with your ideas is hardly going to convince us to listen.

So, if we do have so many women-in-stem classes, what will that achieve? Many hundreds of girls will be pressured into taking the classes by feminists in the media, well-meaning parents, or liberal articles. The classes will be (and are!) viewed by adults as a good chance for girls to overcome “internalized misogyny” or “societal oppression” (substitute liberal buzz-phrase of choice). These girls will take the classes because of the pressure, and end up feeling like bad people or supporters of sexism if they don’t. They will then either drop out and be viewed as either “quitters” or “victims of society,” or they will continue in the field out of the pressure and never pursue their dreams.

Of course, I’m sure some girls will like the classes and go willingly and happily into STEM fields of their choice. But the majority of women who enjoy STEM subjects will be able to find that for themselves, or at least through mixed-gender special STEM classes. Special STEM classes for women are not only unnecessary, they are damaging to the girls they claim to help and therefore society as a whole.

Edit: I found this article arguing against the women in STEM push that seems very well written and interesting: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/making-sense/truth-women-stem-careers/