Why are some STEM fields more gender balanced than others?
University of Washington · The Ohio State University
Abstract
Women obtain more than half of U.S. undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, yet they earn less than 20% of computer science, engineering, and physics undergraduate degrees (National Science Foundation, 2014a). Gender differences in interest in computer science, engineering, and physics appear even before college. Why are women represented in some science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields more than others? We conduct a critical review of the most commonly cited factors explaining gender disparities in STEM participation and investigate whether these factors explain differential gender participation across STEM fields. Math performance and discrimination influence who…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 116.59
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 325
Authors
4Topics & keywords
- PsycINFO
- Gender gap
- Women in science
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Mathematics education
- Psychology
- MEDLINE
- Computer science
- Gender equality