Nevertheless, if by some miracle women were the majority,
it would certainly be of interest to see the statistics.
I don't have my sources with me here in the lab and
am leaving for vacation for a week, but I will try to post
sources for statistics after I return. Perhaps other
list members can respond in the meantime?
I am really disturbed that such misconceptions can exist
in the minds of teachers. Math is still such an
unfriendly profession for women.
Just a few weeks ago I heard a presentation by four
high-achieving high school senior girls who talked about
the systematic harrassment and discrimination they
experienced in their upper division math classes.
None of these girls wants to go on to a career involving
math, let alone be math majors. They are among the most
highly qualified high school graduates. If such qualified
candidates are being driven away, then where are all
the female math PhD's coming from? Just wondering.
Suzanne Franks
sfranks@galois.fccc.edu