“In the past, there was active discrimination against women in science. That has now gone, and although there are residual effects, these are not enough to account for the small numbers of women, particularly in mathematics and physics.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“In the past, there was active discrimination against women in science. That has now gone, and although there are residual effects, these are not enough to account for the small numbers of women, particularly in mathematics and physics.”
Explanation
In this quote, Stephen Hawking acknowledges the historical discrimination that women faced in the fields of science, particularly in disciplines like mathematics and physics, which have traditionally been dominated by men. While he notes that this active discrimination has largely been overcome, he highlights that there are still residual effects influencing the gender disparity in these fields. However, he also suggests that these lingering effects alone are not sufficient to explain the underrepresentation of women in these disciplines today.
Hawking’s comment touches on a significant issue in both the history of science and contemporary academia. Historically, women were often excluded from higher education and professional scientific roles due to both social norms and institutional barriers. Although much progress has been made in terms of gender equality in education and employment, the effects of past discrimination can still be felt in the lower number of women entering certain fields. This may be due to lingering stereotypes about gender and intellectual ability, as well as subtle biases in hiring and promotion practices that continue to impact career trajectories.
In modern times, while the overt discrimination has largely dissipated, the underrepresentation of women, especially in fields like physics and mathematics, can often be attributed to a complex interplay of societal expectations, cultural factors, and institutional biases rather than overt legal or institutional barriers. Encouragement of young girls to pursue science, changes in workplace cultures, and greater support for female role models in the sciences are all part of ongoing efforts to address this imbalance. Hawking’s comment subtly calls attention to the importance of continuing to challenge assumptions and provide equal opportunities for all regardless of gender, in order to unlock the full potential of diverse scientific talent.
