Bias Called Persistent Hurdle for Women in Sciences

[dogonwheels827]

 A report on the underrepresentation of women in science and math by the American Association of University Women, to be released Monday, found that although women have made gains, stereotypes and cultural biases still impede their success.

The report, “Why So Few?,” supported by the National Science Foundation, examined decades of research to cull

Comments

[artkouros]

And yet women now predominate at universities.

[chuayduay]

Not in math, they don't.

[artkouros]

Maybe this will help:

[dogonwheels827]

As long as there are no impediments to educational opportunities, and clearly there aren't since the majority of college students these days are women, the role of women in engineering and science will continue to increase.

I like how you assume that gender bias is not an impediment to educational opportunity.

While I admire your optimism that things will continue to improve, you're completely over-simplifying the issue, in an insulting way to boot. Try to look at things from a perspective other than your own.

[sceneority]

i took part in a psychology study at my university last week as a female in sciences. it definitely had a lot to do with gender roles, humanities and sciences, and self identity. i was told after that the only thing they changed from study to study was the pencil given at the beginning... mine was a quote from the NSF saying that women are equally represented in math, medicine, science, etc careers. i'm curious what the other said.

[ubiquitous_a]

Because most people choose careers where they believe they can do well, the report said, girls’ lesser belief in their skills may partly explain why fewer young women go into scientific careers.

I have to admit, this is probably why I didn't end up pursuing a Computer Science degree when I graduated from high school.

[deathjoy]

How much of the disparity in tenured positions might be due to lack of flexibility for women with family? It's been my experience that research in the sciences is just much more time consuming than that in other fields, and requires a much more rigid schedule. Frankly, lab work cannot be done at home.

[castalianspring]

But that's a part of the larger problem. Women are expected to have the majority of the responsibility when it comes to family. If men shared those responsibilities on a more equal level, women would have more flexibility on the job. Many employers even look at women applicants for jobs with the idea that they'll need family leave in the future, even if that woman has no intention of having a family. If we fight the stereotypes, perhaps the disparity will improve.

Mod Note

[nrchst]

D'you mind cutting your post? It's on the longer side. :) Thanks!

Re: Mod Note

[dogonwheels827]

Absolutely, sorry about that! :)

Re: Mod Note

[nrchst]

No problemo. :) Thanks for the quick fix!