The Myth of the Mathematics Gender Gap

Coryoth writes "The widely held belief that there is disparity in the innate mathematical abilities of men and women has been steadily whittled down in recent years. The gender gap in basic mathematics skills closed some time ago, and recently the gap in high school mathematics has closed up as well, with as many girls as boys now taking high school calculus. Newsweek reports on a new study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that begins to lay to rest the remaining argument that it is at the highest levels of mathematics that the innate differences show. Certainly men dominate current academia, with 70% of mathematics Ph.D.s going to men; however that figure is down from 95% in the 1950s. Indeed, while there remain gaps in achievement between the genders, the study shows that not only are these gaps closing, but the size of the gap varies over differing cultures and correlates with the general degree of gender inequality in the culture (as defined by World Economic Forum measures). In all, this amounts to strong evidence that the differences in outcomes in mathematics between the genders is driven by sociocultural factors rather than innate differences in ability."

Ok I can't resist

[Critical Facilities]

Certainly men dominate current academia, with 70% of mathematics Ph.D.s going to men; however that figure is down from 95% in the 1950s. Indeed, while there remain gaps in achievement between the genders, the study shows that not only are these gaps closing, but the size of the gap varies over differing cultures and correlates with the general degree of gender inequality in the culture (as defined by World Economic Forum measures).

Of course, the study was done by a team of female mathematicians/statisticians, so we really can't trust the results.

I'm kidding, don't flame me.

CS

[Anonymous Coward]

How about we close that gap in CS now.

Im so lonely :(

Bing

[goldaryn]

The only correlation between math and sex that I can see: I don't get either of them

Re:The real question...

[internerdj]

Here is hoping you are a student and not a teacher.

Obligatory XKCD

[spinkham]

Obligatory XKCD:
http://xkcd.com/385/ [xkcd.com]

Re:Social or Biological?

[Locke2005]

70% of PhDs in Mathematics go to men and up to 30% go to women. All this tells us is that having a PhD may help you get laid, but if you have nice tits, then you don't need a PhD.

Re:CS

[Tetsujin]

You want to date a programmer? Are you nuts?

Obligatory XKCD [xkcd.com]...

Re:Maybe...

[bitt3n]

as a male, I support equality between the sexes by consistently underachieving in every area of my life.

So I Really Am Just a Dimwit?

[Anonymous Coward]

So the reason I washed out of college level math in my third year is because I'm a dimwit not because I'm a girl? The truth hurts.

Re:CS

[corsec67]

That is just how funny XKCD is, even linking to the relevant strip gives you a Funny moderation.

Re:Ok I can't resist

[Anonymous Coward]

IANAJTM.