Girls and Science - the Hard Costs of Pushback

Recently there has been a stormy controversy about women and their abilities in math and the sciences, including astronomy and physics coming out of Harvard. Harvard's President Summers, in an unguarded (or simply unthinking) moment, decided that the reason there are fewer women in science than men must have a "biological" component - in other words, women must be inferior to men in science. QED. Quite an intellectual tour-de-force, but since he's a big guy I guess he could get away with it (I doubt any woman in academia could).

But a recent discussion on the astronomy lists caused me to actually put down in writing why a lot of girls abandon science and engineering - it's simple clear nasty misogyny - that's hatred of women, for those who don't know. Yes, like other awful human vices like bigotry and racism and religious hatred, it cuts through all levels of society and cuts through it's victim's souls like a knife. But ordinarily in balanced civilized environments (that's called "diversity"), people who try to indulge their private vices get pushback - from their coworkers, friends, and bosses - fast and hard. So going over the line has a price.

But in highly male-skewed professions, there is far less pushback from the "crowd". Instead, truly offensive behavior is turned into (if you'll forgive me) a mano-a-mano fight more suited to the boxing ring than the science table. Most women and girls (not to mention a lot of nice guys I know) just don't have that bloodlust in them to fight to the death - it's even scary to girls since we're not Xena. So they just give up and walk away - often times forever. But girls aren't the only losers here.

I think all the recent supercilious intellectual putdowns and just plain mean remarks I've come across in both the Summers and astronomy lists discussions can lead to a "teachable" moment and a bit of goodness. I've mentored many girls in the sciences and found them bright, eager, and talented - as much as the men I've worked with at Berkeley. I've written for major newspapers about this real issue as well.

But I've watched these girls leave the sciences because they said they never felt they'd be treated with respect - that if they brought up a controversial position, even in a respectful and positive tone, they would be considered a "bitch", and if they remained silent a "lightweight".

Now, I've worked with some really top flight guys over the years, including my husband, and in the process received with them patents, accolades, and great projects. So I tell these girls that there are great guys out there - your fathers, your brothers, and lots of other great men who love working with women and men who love their subject.

But this is a time where I have to point out that there are some men out here who have a problem with a woman not "staying in her place". Oh, these guys may protest and say "some of my best friends are women" and all that, but when push comes to shove they just don't feel comfortable with women. And they find every chance they can get to get in a quick sucker punch. They have a private vice, and they like to indulge it publicly. That's crossing the line.

And it's this kind of thing that smart girls see and say "Forget it - they're all a bunch of jerks".

This is why girls leave the sciences. Not because they're not smart enough or not dedicated enough or not creative enough. Promising girls leave fields like astronomy and physics and computer science because they get sucker punched over and over again by a witless no-nothing jerk who doesn't play by the rules (a firing offense) imposed in every company and school, and no one seems to care.

As I said, I've got the credentials. I've got the awards. And most importantly, I've got lots of guys who'll fight at my back. I've earned their loyalty and respect. Jerks like this can't damage me, because I'm *already* a success. But for groups who are *seriously* interested in astronomy, physics, or any other hard science / technology area, I'd say you'd better take a real close look around and see just how many women and girls you're reaching right now. You'd better take a good look at the kind of people who are considered spokesmen for your group. Because they may be saying and doing things that are leading normal bright girls to leave because they think your group is uncaring, cruel and out of control. And this should be taken very seriously.

It's also time for the fathers to speak up for their daughters, because they are the next generation. I already mentor and speak up for the girls who are ignored. I listen to them and comfort them. But it's time that these men stop being apologists for the very same bozos that keep their daughters down. By letting these jerks get away with murder, these dads are jeopardizing their own future welfare, unless they think Mr. Bozo is going to support them when they get old or take care of them when they get fired. Loyalty should be measured and reasonable - and letting someone kill your daughter's or some other girl's chances to indulge a private vice is not reasonable or loyal.

And for those girls who get those jerky smirky remarks intended to make them lose confidence and never come back - girls, take out your notebooks please and learn to say the following, like a mantra, because no one will say it for you, but you have to tell the truth:
"I'm sorry you don't like women, but it's really your problem. But it's not my problem. It's your problem."
And that is that.