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We've been talking a lot about why women are absent from certain fields in science, and I was very happy to read articles that gave some tangible numbers. Like some others have mentioned, I would have to say that the most worrisome statistic that I read regarded women's self-esteem as professionals in the sciences (see Sonnet and Holten stats under the "Socialization" section on page 67). I wish I could say I understood where this comes from, but I don't. Is it a humility thing? Is it born out of the societal expectation that women need to prove themselves in order to be accepted into a given field/profession? I think these are definite possibilities. I also think that this article made a good point about "shmoozing" (sp?). The Holten and Sonnet article reads:

"'Professor talk' may be a waste of time in terms of exchanging research information or gaining scientific insights. But it may be anything but wasteful in terms of its hidden agenda. What other women respondents called a "bull session" or "chatty self promotion" may have the function of a bonding ritual." (H&S, Scientific and Professional Styles, pp. 68).

I wonder if it is not just women thinking that these "professor talk" sessions are a waste of time, but feeling uncomfortable engaging in them because of the gender roles we play. If a male colleague asks another colleague out to the bar for a beer, that's considered friendly. If a woman colleague asks a male colleague out to the bar, especially if she's a lesser rank, she's flirting her way to the top.

I realize I've been rambling a little, so back to the question - what stat surprised me the most. I'd have to say it was the stats on ecology/biology which say that this field has gone beyond the proverbial "threshold" that H&S mention. This was a good surprise. It does make sense, as H&S say, because women have been involved in biology for longer than other sciences. I think we should strive to learn from what biology has accomplished and apply to other scientific fields the principles or actions that have made this a successful field for women to enter.