It Starts with the Kids

The digital divide along lines of gender is a tricky issue. So much goes into the digital divide in the first place, like race, age, and class. The issue of the gender digital divide can fit under all those categories. Women are definitely less likely to be tech savvy if they've never seen a computer, and if they are poor, elderly, or in a developing country that could definitely be the case.

In the article called "The Digital Divide - The Special Case of Gender" the author explains how like most oppressive gender roles, people begin to learn them at a very young age. Girls are given dolls to nurture and hug, and boys are given army men and dirt bikes. Most parents or family don't see this as doing anything wrong - they assume those are the toys kids of those genders like to play with. They are correct usually, because that is what they have been taught to like.

In the case of the digital divide, the article states that boys are usually given computer games to play and encouraged along that route until they feel comfortable with computers. Girls are not. I think this is a valid point because if boys are encouraged from a young age to use computers, and the classes on computer technology in schools are usually male-dominated, girls will most likely be discouraged from trying to enhance their computer skills.

I think this is changing. An earlier post describes how young children in Sweden are using computers more frequently and how girls participate in games and communication online. If girls continue to be encouraged into becoming comfortable around and interested in computers from a young age, and this leads to more women in technology classes and careers, the gender digital divide will become less of a problem.