When it comes to automobiles, I only buy from Ford. Why? Well, besides admiring the company's design and quality, I like supporting American companies when possible. In other words, I am interested in both American cars and that particular company.

My interest in cars might not be surprising to you, because I am a male, right? Well, if you really do agree with that statement, and think my gender made me predisposed to liking cars, shame on you. Unfortunately, it is that sort of gender-bias thinking that can deter girls from being interested in cars. Even worse, this sort of bias can negatively impact a girl's interest in STEM. If you are not familiar, that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. These are all things at which women are capable of excelling, but years of gender discrimination has caused society to push females away. Today, Ford Motor Company is partnering with 'Girls Who Code' to encourage female interest in STEM.

"Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford, will support the education and professional growth of Girls Who Code club members in Northern California, serving more than 180 young women in grades six to 12 in the Bay Area. The Ford Palo Alto team will provide mentorship and instruction to club members, and help them engage in hands-on experience at the company's Silicon Valley research lab", says Ford Motor Company.

The car manufacturer further explains, "women are especially underrepresented in the tech industry, making up just 18 percent of computer science graduates in the United States. That is down from 27 percent in 2001 and from 37 percent in 1984. The number of technology-related degrees awarded in the United States is rising, but men alone cannot meet the demand. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs in tech fields will grow to more than 9 million by 2022 -- an increase of about 1 million jobs since 2012. Women must close the gap".

Many detractors of programs that focus on a single gender often claim that these programs themselves are discriminatory. To be honest, they are not necessarily wrong. However, when a certain group is recovering from oppression -- such as American women, who could not vote nationally until 1920 -- there needs to be an increased focus to counterbalance the prior bad acts. In other words, giving girls an increased focus could decrease the attention on boys, but it is simply to right prior wrongs.

Oppression aside, as per Ford above, there is a national interest in increasing female interest in STEM. Men alone will not be able to meet the USA's technology needs in the future -- these bright young women are the key to remaining competitive on the global stage. Part of the car manufacturer's interest is arguably selfish in this regard, but regardless of motivation, its contribution to 'Girls Who Code' is a great move that deserves applause.

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