Women in physics: Why and why not?

Abstract

© 2006 American Institute of Physics, S-0031-9228-0612-220-6 I read Evalyn Gates’s Opinion piece “A Scientific Point of View” (PHYSICS TODAY, April 2006, page 64) with great interest. I have read several articles that offered a similar presentation and reached a similar conclusion. However, no one, in my opinion, has ever truly explained one point: Why is it important to increase the number of women in physics? Why does that matter? Will it improve the quality of physics? I am not suggesting that physics needs more men than women—or more women than men. In the research center where I work, about 25% of the postgraduate researchers are women, and I believe my colleagues care about the quality of the science produced, not about the gender of the person producing it. I do not understand why it is important to have more women as physicists—or as firefighters, bullfighters, divers, or any other profession. I believe that regardless of gender, individuals should be able to do what best suits their abilities. I realize that my point of view may seem naive, but I would appreciate a clear and logical argument. Vicente Aboites (aboites@cio.mx) Center for Research in Optics Leon, Mexico