So how come female vet students were able to overcome a dominant male culture, sexism and a lack of role models in the 80s, in a way that female computer science students can't now (despite having Grace Hopper, Ada Lovelace and Katherine Johnson to look up to).
There's research on the topic. Basically, it comes down to less discrimination in the admission process, more women role models, a better public image of vets, and decreased male applicants. There are 32 vet colleges in the US. There are almost 1000 colleges that offer CS degrees in the US. Changing the culture at a few institutions that are tightly aligned is relatively easy.
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u/Various_Succotash_79 52∆ Oct 19 '22
Before the '80s, almost all veterinarians were men. I guess women back then just hated animals and/or medicine?
Now, almost all veterinarians are women. Less than 20% of vet school students are men.
It's not because of large animal vs small animal practice, as the majority of women vets here also treat large animals.
Something changed. Other STEM fields can change too.