Media portrayals of computer programmers are almost always male. The lack of women in the CS disciplines can have negative psychological impacts on female students. Overall, there are few female role models in CS for other women to look to.

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- loss of interest in CS early on in life
- positive attitudes towards CS
- varying levels of motivation
- family support
- lack of role models

Other reasons for female discouragement and lower participation in computer science disciplines

Females tend to lose interest in CS early in life due to not gaining as much experience with computers as boys during childhood. Computer games are often male-oriented. Also, boys tend to demand more of the teachers' attention in school, forcing girls to figure things out on their own.

Early loss of female interest in computer science

Positive attitudes towards CS greatly contribute to success in the field; however, this tends to be lacking in females. They generally have less confidence in their abilities/accomplishments than males, regardless similar levels of performance. They may also feel out of place in a male-dominated field. 

Lack of females' positive attitude towards computer science 

Females and males often have different levels of motivation concerning pursuing a career in the CS field. They also have different communication styles, resulting in women being less aggressive when promoting themselves, trying new/challenging activities, and competing for awards.

Less female motivation in regards to computer science

Family support can play a big role when choosing to study CS. Socialization of children based on gender can unintentionally inhibit girls from choosing to study CS based on gender stereotypes and lack of self confidence. Literature has also referenced the "geek factor" as a turn-off for girls becoming interested in CS, as they think they might be viewed as "nerdy".

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