Women and Science

Science and mathematics are traditionally male fields, but all that is changing, especially as culture and social norms shift.  What many experts refer to as the "gender gap" in performance in science and math is seeming to narrow as the scores of girls on standardized testing and college entrance exams rise.  However, many scientists bring evidence to the table that females lack an "intrinsic aptitude" for math and science that is based in biology, making it very unlikely that women will ever make up any sizable percentage of the top mathematical and scientific thinkers in the world.

Here I thought I could actually be successful in the field of science, but obviously it is more likely that I prefer the communication and psychology end of studies.  Silly me.  In my school, I am in advanced precalculus as a junior, AP biology, and have A's in both.  In fact, I have better grades in those subjects than most of my male counterparts.  But some researchers would counter that males have inborn cognitive abilities that make them infinitely more able to handle mathematical problems and analyze science.  It is true, however, that more males are at the top in these subjects than females, but that is more likely because of environment and choice rather than natural ability.

When we start analyzing what makes people smart or not, we get into trouble.  Some people don't care about school, others have natural abilities at memorization and do almost nothing, and a select few take what talents they have and combine it with an enormous work ethic to become the top performers.  In the modern era, most girls are not suffering extensively from negative stereotypes, although they still are prevalent.  Casual talk and banter brings "woman in the kitchen" jokes, almost all the famous scientists listed in the textbooks are male, and yet women are increasingly becoming involved in the professional world.