The Role of Parental Involvement in Women's Decision to Study Computer Science and Related Fields

• In Event: 29.079 - Experiences and Career Choices of Females in STEM-Related Fields: Supports and Barriers

Abstract

Increasing women’s participation in computer science (CS) is a critical workforce and equity concern. The technology industry has committed to reversing negative trends for women in CS as well as engineering and information technology (IT) “computing” fields. Our study identifies factors that influence young women’s decisions to pursue CS-related degrees. It is based on a survey of 1,000 girls and women. Results identified encouragement and exposure as the leading factors influencing this critical choice. A key finding is that anyone can help influence young women’s choices, regardless of their technical abilities or background. Building on previously published research, this paper focuses on the unique role that parental encouragement plays and research on strategies parents can use.

Authors

• Jason Ravitz, Google Inc

• Hai Hong, Google Inc

• Jennifer Wang, Google Inc

• Sepehr Hejazi Moghadam, Google Inc

• Cameron L. Fadjo, Google Inc.