RE: Are inclusive environments the key to closing the STEM gender gap?

DAB — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 19:24:09 GMT

I think there will always be a gender gap, just from the traditional role separating the sexes.

Regardless of how much you try to include women in STEM, there are still significant cultural and traditional pressures keeping them from committing to those disciplines.

Perhaps one day enlightenment will occur that a women can be an active part of STEM and still support some of the traditional and cultural roles, but it will take a mind shift for most men to admit such options.

My mother was not STEM specifically, but by necessity she worked all through my growing up period, so I got to see that a woman could be much more than tradition expected.

Luckily my father was open to the idea that her working made all of our lives easier, though he never did fully engage in helping her out at home. That just wasn't what he wanted to do.

Still, I turned out fine, as did my two brothers and I excelled at STEM. Both of my brothers could have also, but they chose to underachieve their potential.

Their choice.

Me I revel at STEM and try to help all who aspire.

I am fully open to mentoring anyone of either sex to learn and grow in a STEM environment.

DAB