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Do Now
What do you have to say about the reasons and realities of sexism in science? What are the barriers, if any, to women in STEM careers?
Introduction
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that although women make up around 50% of the workforce, they only comprise 26% of the employees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. There is a significant gender gap between men and women in the sciences; research conducted in the UK between 1997 and 2010 revealed that women, on average, received 43 percent less funding in scientific grants than men. A study conducted in 2008 showed that the median salary for a female engineer was $24,000 less than the median salary of their male counterpart. These differences extend beyond mere wage discrimination.
When young girls look at careers in STEM fields and see a dearth of female role models compared to men in these jobs, girls may feel that a science career is simply not for them. In science, there may exist a “stereotype threat,” which states that when we are aware of a bias we are more likely to conform to it. Another possible barrier is the exclusivity within STEM industries themselves; women are underrepresented at conferences, start-up companies, and scientific advisory boards. However there are some studies that show boys seemingly falling behind their female counterparts recently, and that women are currently receiving more college degrees than men. Certain solutions to reduce the gender gap in the sciences–such as the imposition of quotas and special funding programs for women–are criticized for promoting reverse sexism.
What do you have to say about the reasons and realities of sexism in science? What are the barriers, if any, to women in STEM careers?
Resource
CBS video Women, Minorities Underrepresented in STEM Fields
U.S. News & World Report chief content officer Brian Kelly and Weill Cornell Medical College dean Dr. Laurie H. Glimcher discuss the underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM fields.
To respond to the Do Now, you can comment below or tweet your response. Be sure to begin your tweet with @KQEDedspace and end it with #DoNowSexism
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