I graduated with a chemical engineering degree in 1985. I had no problems in school competing with men (I think our major was about 20% women at the time). I graduated ranked very high in my class of engineers. I liked math and science and had been steered toward engineering, but had several co-op experiences and did not like any of them. I got my degree, figuring at least I could support myself and pay off my loans, but became a SAHM after 5 years of working a job I grew to hate. I never steered any of my kids toward engineering, although all were good in math. Oldest went for economics, youngest 2 (one male one female) for computer science. I think women should be able to pursue any field they want, but what if enough women don’t want to be engineers to make up 50% of the field?
And GMT, I found this remark really offensive - Working women in Asia don’t beat themselves up for being bad mothers if they are not personally wiping their kids butts.