The Unsolved Mystery of the Gender Imbalance in IT

Abstract

AbstractWomen are underrepresented in information technology (IT) education and work across the western world. This chapter contextualizes the topic of the book by revisiting research literature about girls’ and women’s participation in IT. Among the widely recognized barriers are gender stereotypes and gender structures in IT education and work. The chapter further reviews studies into motivational factors as well as research investigating women entering IT through non-traditional training grounds. Finally, the question of why the situation has not improved faster in the Nordic countries is discussed in light of the metaphor of a Nordic gender equality paradox. This reflects a gap between theory and practice and a myth of gender equality already in place that reduces efforts to address gender inequality in technology.