Gender, IT, and Educational Choice in East and West Europe

Abstract

This article aims to examine the development of aspects of research on gender and IT by means of considering the mainly psychological research carried out by the authors in Europe. Some issues of continuity or change are considered. Broadly speaking, the point of view is taken that gender neutrality in the field of computing and IT would be a desirable goal. However, it is recognized that this point of view is not without its problems. The discussion below about the old communist system in East Europe illustrates this. Nevertheless, the orientation taken is closest to a liberal view of equality. Adam, Howcroft, and Richardson (2004) offer a useful recent account of some of the twists and turns of the debate about the goal of gender neutrality.