STEM Stereotypes

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Ever since the study of mathematics and science has begun, women have been underrepresented in the STEM field. The STEM field is made up of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. There have been a lot of efforts to increase the number of women in STEM careers; however, men remain dominant in the field. For example, in 2015 women filled 47% of all U.S. jobs, but held only 24% of the STEM careers ( ). Meaning that in 2015 men held 76% of all the STEM careers. The gap between men and women in STEM continues to widen and men continue to dominate the STEM field. Now one might ask, why is there such a large gap between men and women in STEM careers?
One response to this question, is that girls interested in STEM careers is influenced by the stereotypes society has about women in the STEM field. These stereotypes play a …show more content…

This is because, women are often stereotyped as being bad at math and science compared to their male counterparts. Throughout their years of schooling, women are constantly facing this stereotype, which then influences their participation in STEM careers. However, their male counterparts don’t have this stereotype associated with them, leading them more likely to enter into STEM careers because they don’t have to worry about constantly being questioned about their abilities. By women being associated with this stereotype, it often holds them back from reaching their full math and science potential. Which then causes women to underperform in math because they are starting to conform to the stereotype that they must be bad at math. This can also be known as the stereotype threat. According to the acclaimed psychologists Claude Steele and Joshua Arson, a stereotype

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