Gender differences and computing: Students' assessment of societal influences

It is becoming increasingly important for our students to learn about computing in order to prepare themselves for an information intensive future. Research has shown that a background in mathematics is possibly linked to students' performance in computing and traditionally, girls have not participated as much and performed as well as boys in mathematics. The results of a study examining students' assessment of societal influences on their participation in computing are reported. The gender differences in their attitudes toward the following factors are examined: computing as a male domain, infuence of significant others, negative attitudes associated with computing and career aspirations. The results of this study show that students, especially females, are rejecting the stereotypes that are prevalent in society. This is cause for optimism and students of both genders should be encouraged to be equal heirs to a future in a technologically literate nation.