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Summary: Girls still aren't equal...
Review: The book, Does Jane Compute: Preserving Our Daughters' Place In The Cyber Revolution by Roberta Furger is a book which offers an eye opening view of the current inequalities between boys and girls where computer technology is concerned. After reading this book, many things became clear regarding what has been done in the past and what is still needed to be done in the future by searching for an answer to her question, "Does Jane compute?" Furger begins examining this inequality at an early age for these boys and girls. When children are very young, boys and girls begin to see the computer as two different and separate things. Boys view the computer as a toy for games and exploration while girls, on the other hand, view the computer as a tool for school, not games. This misconception by the two genders is continually perpetuated by many other influences. One question remains: Why do boys see the computer as a toy and girls see it as a tool? That is easily answered when it is noted that boys dominate the operating position of a computer during group activities, and while at home, the boys will dominate the free time to play games on the computer. The girls will be "allowed" (by the boy) only a small amount of time in front of the computer to do only what she needs to, as far as school work is concerned. Furger contends that it is not the fact that girls don't want to play games on the computer, it is just the fact that they can not get to the computer and the games that their brothers and fathers are playing are not ones that interest them. When a consumer walks into a computer store and heads down their game software's aisle, the section of girls games is small to say the least. Most of the games that are available deal with the stereotypical view of what kind of a game a girl wants to play. Furger argues that in order to get the girls on an equal playing field with the boys in the computer technology world, one of the first things that needs to be addressed is the lack of computer software programs that target girls in other manners than playing dress up. Furger concludes her book by giving tips of how to bridge the gap between boys and girls both at home and at school. At home, parents should be aware of the unequal patterns of use regarding the computer and they should encourage their daughter's to explore new computer software instead of showing them. Also, parents are suggested to involve their daughter's in the purchase of new software packages and be familiar with the games that their children are playing. Furger furthermore encourages parents to be a positive role model and to ask for their daughter's help in order to promote learning and self confidence on her behalf. At school, Furger suggests that encouragement should begin with girls being encouraged to take the highest level of math and science courses available. Along with this, find out about the computer activities at your daughter's school, investigate the software packages available at the school, and teachers are encouraged to carefully plan lessons that appeal to both boys and girls equally. These are just a few of Furger's highlighted suggestions that will help increase the equality of boys in girls, at home, at school and in the ever growing computer science career field. This book is a must read for anyone who is a parent, a teacher, or for anyone that has ever used a computer. Furger's writing style is easy to read, informative, interesting, full of suggestions, and has you hooked into reading more after just one page. This book will cause you to read it straight through without putting it down.
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Summary: Does Jane Compute?
Review: This book makes us aware of the gender inequalities that exist with young girls when it comes to computers ans pursuing foture careers in Computer Science. The book is seperated into two sections Jane@Home and Jane@Work. In these sections Furger shows us the ways in which girls are discouraged in the home and at school and what we can do as parents and educators to prevent this type of discrimination. I felt this book was excellent. It opened my eyes to the different opportunities that are encouraged and avaliable to girls today. I was fortunate; I was raised in a home the Forger describes as an exception to the rule. I would like to think that times are changing with this issue considered. Both parents are working and I feel everyone is encouraged to be computer literate. Hopefully in time this gender inequality will change where computers and education are concerned.
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Summary: klmst69+@pitt.edu
Review: Today computers are a major part of our lives, but are they a major part of everyone's lives? That is the issue that is addressed in Roberta Furger's book "Does Jan Compute? Preserving Our Daughter's Place in the Cyber Revolution". In two different sections of her book Jan@Home and Jan@School, Furger explains, in great detail, the amount of gender inequity that indeed exists in our society today, and also shows what a rising problem we are now faced with. Jan@Home takes a close look at computers and their connection to a family's lifestyle. Fathers and brothers are at this moment dominating the computer usage time in the average household. Males tend to turn to the computer for many different reasons. In turn, they often end up spending a large amount of time in front of the computer. It was stated that males are more likely to access or buy computer games to play (which probably occurs because of the large number of software games produced to entertain primarily male gender audiences). Males are also the ones that are more apt to dig around on the computer and really explore. Part of this stems from the theory that males are not afraid to hit buttons, where, on the other hand females are. Males tend to have no fear of what they may find, where as females do not like to try unless they know what the outcome will be. In many instances, females within the household would use the computer more, but, the male domination is often accidentally overlooked by the supervising adults. No suggestion is made that the males that are dominating might step aside and allow time on the computer for the females. This area appears to be a big problem associated with females and their lack of computer use, but this issue is by no means the only problem area. Unfortunately, without ever meaning to, mothers tend to be very poor role models for their daughters when the issue of using the computer arises. Most mothers are not interested or do not have the knowledge to use the family computer on a regular basis, and, in turn, their daughters often fall into their footsteps. Many of the problems that occur at home are in no means intentionally discriminating females from the use of computers, but, never the less, are still very harmful. Home is not he only place that is discouraging females from using computers. School is also a major contributor. Jan@School shows us just how school even plays its part in the male dominated computer world that we are living in. Furger explains to us in her book that even in a school setting girls are being discouraged from computer-related classes and professions, while males are being encouraged to succeed in the same areas. Girls tend to only turn to computers for homework assignments and for a means of communication. Furger's book was an eye-opener. I learned very quickly that there is definitely a problem in front of us that needs to be addressed. Now, please do not get me wrong because I did not walk away from this book feeling like there were no positives or hopes for the future because there are. Furger touched on some solutions that are already being implemented in both the home and school settings to try to reach out to those oppressed females. I do feel that with the ever-changing world we live in that this issue, like many others we have faced before, is nothing but a phase. I feel that before long everyone and anyone will be on the computers, surfing the never-ending superhighway!
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Summary: A Startling Account of Gender Inequity @ Home and @ School
Review: While one half of the children in the United States are encouraged to explore the technical aspect of life, the other half--young women--are led away from these activities. Does Jane Compute: Preserving Our Daughters' Place in the Cyber Revolution, written by Roberta Furger, is an extraordinary book that takes a descriptive journey into the gender inequity phenomenon surrounding girls and computers. Interviewing and observing hundreds of girls, Furger uncovers the disturbing consequence of society's rules that are unwritten, yet very powerful. At a young age, girls are subtely pushed away from computers, just as they are with math and science, while boys master and claim these subjects as their own. As Furger discovers the many obstacles that are holding these young women back, she suggests twice as many solutions for parents and the rest of society. To take a closer look into these obstacles, Ferger goes into the homes and schools of these young women. "Jane @ Home" emphasizes the gender inequity alive in homes. With 40% of today's homes equipped with computers, Furger demonstrates how boys see their PC as a "toy", while girls on the other hand view it as a "tool". Boys immerse themselves in both the hardware and software--playing popular games and tinkering. Girls use the computer for completing school work, e-mail, and occasionally games. They spend very little time on it and quickly log off. Boys are characterized as the prominent users, investing numerous hours exploring new terrain. Furger explains that these gender problems are created by what parents say or do. The child is socialized to think that, just like the VCR, the computer is a technological device that can only be operated or repaired by a father/man. "Jane @ School" illustrates male dominance in the fields of math and science--especially computer science where boys are pushed to better themselves. Furger shows this similar trend exists in the different worlds of school: "boys in action, the other of girls inaction". Additionally Furger demonstrates how these inequalities are changing. Today more and more parents and faculty are taking steps to correct it. In the homes, parents should/are instilling confidence, encouragement, and open doors into their daughters' interests. They are providing positive role models, illustrating women can be as technical as men. In schools, clubs are being organized to facilitate more confidence, computer knowledge, and experience in these young women. As Furger concludes her book, she strongly emphasizes the goal of her book--the need to answer the question, "Does Jane Compute" with a "resounding, unequivocal, enthusiastic yes".
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