Young Women and Science: do we need more science?

Summary

This article considers some of the implications of women's absence from science and technological fields at all levels of the education system. The authors consider whether the greater participation by women in scientific and technological studies would influence significantly their position in society. The discussion is placed in the context of the ‘needs of the economy’, and the question as to whether or not there is an economic ‘need’ for a workforce which has received a high level of scientific and technological training. There is an examination of the educational case for encouraging young women to study within scientific and technological fields. The authors express concern at the high status attributed to scientific knowledge, and suggest that in focusing on the issue of young women and science, some feminists are legitimising that status.