Women in science, engineering, maths etc.
Now I'm not saying that no women are good at these, that would be blatantly rubbish as I know many women who excel at these things (hopefully me included since I'm female and trying to do a PhD in physics), but I honestly think that a vision of a world where the gender split is 50/50 is just a bra burning feminists fantasy. Why? I honestly think that these things do appeal less to the average woman than the average man, and the average man is probably better at them. I hope no-one was stupid enough to interpret that as "I think all men are better than all women at maths" as that really would be sexist. I'm all for making sure girls know enough about these subjects to decide whether they like them and making sure they're not being put off by stereotypes rather than their own opinion, but if a girl doesn't want to be a scientist FFS just let her do her own thing.

The main thing that makes me think the ratio of men to women at least in physics (being a physicist I know most about gender ratios in that than jobs I don't do) is never going to be more even than about 70:30 is law and medicine. Both very traditionally mens jobs, yet today, I believe far more girls want to study them at uni than boys. The days of girls being put off because something is a man's area of interest are more or less over.

I think the other way around may be a problem (I woulnd't be surprised if men are feeling put off girls' subjects because of the stereotype), but no-one gives a shit when men are in the minority.
(GothicTechie, Sun 27 Dec 2009, 17:52, 10 replies)

Men in primary school teaching
In my kids primary school there was only one male teacher. He was very good, but the amount of sexist hounding from parents (all exclusively female) was considerable.

But there are no positive action initiatives for them. I wonder why?
(Sir Tainley Barking Ezekiel 23:20, Sun 27 Dec 2009, 18:30, closed)

That sucks :( My primary school only had one male (very good, but religious nutjob) teacher. The total absence of any of sexist hounding I've had as a woman in physics is one reason why I think the gender imblance must be more due to what men and women are more likely to find interesting/be good at.
(GothicTechie, Sun 27 Dec 2009, 20:18, closed)

I notice it more because I'm a dad, so I come into contact with women who think that closed shop of motherhood should not be an equal opportunity environment.
They won't however do it to my face, as they assume I look like the sort of person who might conceivably tear them a new one. I'll hear about it second hand.
They also don't like anything unusual either.For instance, Jokingly mentioning the gay dads to a (Female) health visitor meant I had to listen to a tirade of homophobic vitriol. I didn't mention that they are actually quite nice chaps who care deeply for their offspring.

Never mind!

As for physics, I've found that any hard science (I'm a chemist) has no problem with what you're packing in your pants. Its all about attitude and results. Not a lot else matters, though I will say that chemists know a better selection of a) profanity, and b) Filthy jokes than your average physicist
(Sir Tainley Barking Ezekiel 23:20, Sun 27 Dec 2009, 22:03, closed)

Geologists have you all
beat in the selection of profanity and filthy jokes (plus alcohol abuse).
(MichaelS wasn't picked again, Mon 28 Dec 2009, 16:56, closed)

can Geologists
Get hold of half winchesters of specrographically pure ethanol with no denaturant for making cocktails and adding to party punch?

After that little episode at the departmental christmas party, people were being fished out of the river and other peoples beds, that they had no recollection of getting into.

On the upside at least I don't need to wear lead underpants in the lab (Unlike when taking rock samples in Uranium mines......)
(Sir Tainley Barking Ezekiel 23:20, Tue 29 Dec 2009, 0:47, closed)

I'm sorry
but the fact that geology has spawned the pun "geology rocks" disqualifies geologists from any debate on which scientists have the best sense of humour :)
(GothicTechie, Tue 29 Dec 2009, 13:52, closed)

My neighbor's daughter is just finishing a degree in chemical engineering
in the middle of oil field country (Alberta, Canada). She has been making obscene money in her summers interning for companies hoping to recruit her when she completes her courses. It's hard for the companies to hire enough female engineers not to appear sexist. The numbers just don't exist.
(mrbuddhafreak, Mon 28 Dec 2009, 6:04, closed)

It's not true of all physics departments...
I, similarly, am trying to bumble my own way through a PhD in an Atmospheric Physics group. The gender balance is nigh on, if not very actually, 50:50. Seriously, the postgrads in the year below me are all females. Real ones. With boobs and everything!
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 28 Dec 2009, 10:12, closed)

Forensic science in the UK
is about 80% female.
( Mockingbird Practitioner of SCIENCE, Wed 30 Dec 2009, 12:05, closed)

And is shockingly poorly paid
Reassuring to think that the forensic evidence that you are relying on to prove your innocence has been tested by some poor overworked sod on just above minimum wage
(Sir Tainley Barking Ezekiel 23:20, Wed 30 Dec 2009, 18:54, closed)