This is an example of unconscious sexism in tech recruitment that assumes that women are bad with math and computers.
The yellow sticky note says, “My mom has a PhD in math”.
I am not a mother, but if I reproduced, I would be.
The job ad is also based on the same stereotype of female technical ineptitude as “So simple, your mother could do it”.
Original photo by Jessie Bennett (via Sociological Images and Geek Feminism Blog)
February 25, 2011 at 7:23 pm
I agree.
February 25, 2011 at 7:45 pm
“Can you explain it to your parents?” would have been just as effective, because it’d call to mind the age gap where many older people are baffled by computers. While that’s somewhat ageist (but still based in reality often enough that it’s currently excusable), at least it wouldn’t be sexist as well.
Also, whoever put up that Post-It kicks ass.
February 25, 2011 at 8:19 pm
My mother is one of the most brilliant people I know, and has taught herself more tech skills than some of the people I’ve worked with in the industry.
February 25, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Why is that considered unconscious sexism? It seems pretty overt and conscious to me.
February 25, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Because they can say that they it wasn’t their intention to be sexist:
(classic non-apology apology)
February 27, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Your image doesn’t show the sticky note, btw – had to go to the linkback.
February 27, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Katie,
Sorry about that. I made the image too wide, so the right side is cut off when viewed with some browsers/screen resolutions. I have now made the image link to the image file itself, and I have included a close-up of the sticky note.