Gender Differences in Adolescents' Uses of and Attitudes Toward Computers

The impressive rate of adoption of microcomputers in schools and homes has provoked concern for equity in their availability, uses, and effects (Chen, 1985a; Lepper, 1985; Linn, 1984; Paisley & Chen, 1984). In schools alone, the number of microcomputers increased nearly 20-fold in just three years, from 33,000 in June of 1981 to 630,000 in June of 1984 (“Computer Makers Find Rich Market”). Recent data collected by Dataquest, a market research firm in San Jose, indicate that, as of February 1985, 13.1% of American households possessed a personal computer, with higher-end systems growing in popularity (Dataquest, 1985).