Female scientists has always been a scarcity. In modern times, the number of women in the sciences have grown, however we're still greatly outnumbered by males. I found an article that suggests seven reasons that are keeping women out of science fields.
http://www.businessinsider.com/7-things-keeping-women-out-of-science-2013-10
As a women of science myself, I have found several of these suggestions to be relatable. First reason, teasing in school. The teasing is not only subjugated to school, but in other settings as well. In a family setting, if you're not an only child, teasing occurs within siblings. That might not seem too bad, almost normal, but if you're the only one in your family who seems to be interested in all this "stuff", you tend to become an outcast. You'll never get a boyfriend, if you're more interested in books than your looks. They are more willing to help you go shopping and gossip than help with homework and hold conversations about the motions of a molecule. The competition is a put off as well. They offer limited scholarships and opportunities that force competition and for those who are noncompetitive an excuse to not pursue their interests. As a chemistry tutor, I meet so many bright women, that do outstanding in the science courses because they are interested, but are pursuing other degrees because the fields are too competitive. Finally, the patriarchy again. The older generation of scientist consist of male majority, and off course, they are interested in teaching other males only. Women are bright. Women understand science.
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