Programming and STEM in general are targeted towards men (though this message is getting better with the various diversity initiatives). Boys have male role models and are socialized into engineering career paths. This messaging is missing for girls and women. Since they are not encouraged or do not see themselves as programmers, they inadvertently miss the opportunity to pursue these paths at a young age.
In your case, you overcame the class barriers of learning programming. This doesn't preclude the existence of other social barriers, such as gender, race, etc.
It's very admirable of you to have been programming from such a young age, but is it entirely unimaginable for someone to start coding in university? You're glibly discounting the experience of many many talented people. Tech is becoming a field with many different types of people with diverse backgrounds and it's necessary to recognize and accept that fact.
In your case, you overcame the class barriers of learning programming. This doesn't preclude the existence of other social barriers, such as gender, race, etc.
It's very admirable of you to have been programming from such a young age, but is it entirely unimaginable for someone to start coding in university? You're glibly discounting the experience of many many talented people. Tech is becoming a field with many different types of people with diverse backgrounds and it's necessary to recognize and accept that fact.