Gender and computing: A decade of change?

A b s l r a c t ' l ~ d 16-18 year oids in 1995 were compared to similar groups in 1992, 1989 and 1986. Repom:d use of computers, knowledge about IT and reasons for not studying computing were assessed. Reported use of computers in school had risen to a non gender differentiated high level. However, repotted domestic use of computers remained highly genderal, with males retaining a higher level of repmmt use both of their own campotm and of a friend's computer. Knowledge about IT concepts had increased over time, with the male advamnge over females being retained but declining very gradually in absolute size. Analysis, both open ended and statistical, of responses to questions about choosing not to study computing indicated a considerable stability over time of a rather nqpeive stereotype of the computer specialist. It is concluded that gender misted clemges over time in the U.K. me occurring, but at a slow rate. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All fights reserved