Volume 1
Issue 1
16 March 1998
Gender
Inequalities in Education
The
Gender Gap in the Computing Field
Whitmore
High School: A Case Study of Computer Usage
Computer
Projects for Mother and Daughter
Expanding
Your Horizons in Math and Science
Computers
and Technology: Differences In Gender
Gender
Bias In Educational Software
Educational
Software For Girls
- Purple Moon: Thanks but No Thanks for Rockett's New School
- Girl Tech - Not Girl Friendly Enough
- Her Interactive
- Broderbund - Classroom Software Done Right
Computers
In the Classroom: What is the Effect on the Gender
Gap?
"Girl Tech's mission is to encourage girls in technology use by creating products and services just for them." (Girl Tech Mission Statement) Girl Tech, founded by Janese Swanson, sets out to meet lofty goals. But who better to lead the battle then Swanson who holds several degrees in Education, a doctorate in Organization and Leadership and completed her dissertation on gender issues and play preferences in technology and toys. She provides a vast amount of interesting research and insights into the world of gender and computing, specifically young girls and the electronic toys that are right for them. Yet it seems as if she failed miserably in her attempt to apply this research to the products her company releases.
Taking a look at her research, it is clear that Swanson has a strong grasp of the existing gender differences in the computing world. Few can argue that most of the toy world targets young boys. Walk into any toy store and you see rows and rows of action figures, toy weapons, electronic video games and other games all geared toward boys. In a November 1995, press release, Girl Tech claims that, "...girls need and desire toys and games that reinforce their sense of independence, inventiveness, natural inquisitiveness and belief in unlimited possibilities." The press release continues by claiming, "While traditional girls' products are enjoyed by many, it is time to cater to the diversity within the gender and offer girls contemporary alternatives. It's time to offer product choices that support girls' adventurous spirit while building necessary skills around technology." The press release explains this is the reason Girl Tech exists.
Keeping this in mind, let's take a look at a couple of Girl Tech products. Their products sold on the web include a Snoop Stopper Keepsake Box which locks away secret items from snooping friends, a Me-Mail Message Center which allows the owner to leave protected messages to herself, a Zap 'N Lock Journal which (you guessed it) keeps secret writings away from prying neighbors, and a Swap It Locket which allows one of the owners to send a secret message which can only be heard by another owner of a Swap It Locket. For a company that strives to "cater to the diversity within the gender and offer girls contemporary alternatives" it doesn't seem to be fairing too well.
Although Swanson's research and Girl Tech's press releases encourage the production of toys which do not perpetuate gender stereotypes, many of Girl Tech's products do just this. Every one of the products mentioned above is based upon the assumptions that girls snoop, keep secrets and have stuff to hide. Are these messages we want to be sending our girls? Giving Girl Tech the benefit of the doubt, it is likely that many girls will enjoy these products. But there will be many others that will not. What are we saying to the girls who do not enjoy these products? Do we want to be giving them the message that there is no place for them in society? Our society is so obsessed with splitting people into a dichotomy, that these girls who do not like "girlie games" are not going to know how to react.
The Girl Tech web site contains a number of services and features targeted specifically for girls. Many of them successfully do just this. Some of the positive sections include a search engine which searches for girl friendly sites; a game cafe which has both on-line and off-line games; an inventor's page which contains stories about women inventors, has tips for thinking of your own inventions and a place to show off your own inventions; a Girl's View section which has information about girls in the news, book reviews, software reviews among other content; a sports section, which features women athletes; and a girl's world site which takes a look at women in history and women in the work force.
But each of these sites, in one way or another, continues to perpetuate gender stereotypes. The sports section, for example, still lacks women representation in many male dominated sports. Likewise, the look at women in the work force contains multiple examples of women in all kinds of careers but the one that is showcased is that of an actress. The most blatant example of gender stereotyping on the Girl Tech site is Chick Chat. The name in and of itself is controversial and many see it as derogatory. Girl Tech addresses this issue by allowing users to write in and comment on what they think of the name. The company claims that they are attempting to change the meaning of the word from derogatory to harmless. But regardless of how the term is used many would argue that we should not encourage our girls to think of themselves or be called by a term that also refers to the offspring of a farm animal. Very few men would agree to be referred to as pups or calves. So why do our women and girls put up with it?
Many of the stereotypes which are perpetuated throughout the Girl Tech web site are ingrained in us at an early age. The fault for these blatant wrong doings cannot just fall onto the shoulders of Girl Tech. Unfortunately, these stereotypes are not just limited to computers and technology. Girl Tech sets out to achieve some noble goals. Yet in doing so, the company stops one step short of encouraging gender equity. As an end result, it ends up doing exactly what it set out not to do.
Relevant Girl Tech Links:
How do they rate those girl sites? Other FAQ.
What teachers, parents, peers, etc. can do to reverse stereotypes.
