Women in Science

Just like another one of my blog posts, I decided to pick an article about women in engineering. A common stereotype within the field of engineering is that it is unsuitable for women because it has an image of being a masculine profession. The research done by Powell, Bagilhole and Dainty (2009) illustrates how women respond to gender inequality in engineering careers. It also depicts the idea that women are ultimately making negative consequences for themselves by trying to assimilate into the masculine engineering culture.

                In the article by Powell, Bagilhole and Dainty (2009) second year engineering undergraduate students partake in a two year interview process. The students are divided into 26 different focus groups and each placed within an industrial position outside of school. Each interview looks to explore how attitudes and career intention changes over time. The interviewers ask about why the participants chose their careers, how they can explain their experiences within their learning environments, their future work intentions, and their transitions into the work force.

                The researchers found that women tried to “perform masculinity” because it made it easier for the women to fit into the engineering culture. This meant that the women tried to act in a way that was deemed unfeminine, like not crying or complaining about activities. Most of the women reported feelings of wanting to blend in and be “one of the guys”.  The women also felt that they were always trying to prove themselves as adequate or as equally as competent as the men. To me the most significant conclusion of the research is the anti woman approach the women acquired. Many women stated that they went into the field because not many women are engineers, and they believed women can be annoying and catty.  Women become reluctant to associate with other women to appear more macho to their male associates. Instead of women sticking together to fight against a stereotype, they seem to turn against each other.

                I enjoyed this article because it briefly examines the consequences of gender inequality in the work place. Women can turn on other women because they are socialized to believe that engineering is a male dominated field. The article also supports my stereotype that women are looked down upon in all areas that deal with science because of their gender. These women are not taken seriously, and thus feel that they need to prove themselves.  It is important for women to stick together and try to end the stereotype that science is an academic field for men. 

Reference: Powell, A., Bagilhole B., Dainty A. (2009). How Women Engineers Do and Undo Gender: Consequences for Gender Equality. Gender, Work, and Organization, 4, 417 - 427.

Inferiority of Women in Science

            Women are underrepresented in jobs that are characterized  masculine. There is a small and declining population of women graduating from college in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  This is not to say that there is little interest in STEM majors, but often women shy away from male dominated majors due to social stigma. In a study done by Morganson, Jones, and Major (2010), the researchers were determined to find the effects of social coping on the gender gap. Social coping is a skill that helps women overcome blockades as they move forwards in their chosen careers.

            The study conducted by Morganson, Jones, and Major (2010) took place at two different colleges. Seventy five percent of the participants were males, with twenty five percent females. Data collection took place over a four semester period. The researchers collected data pertaining to social coping, commitment to major, and turnover intent. The social coping (COPE scale) is a self report item scaled test. The Career Commitment Scale computed a participants’ commitment to a STEM major. Self report items measured turnover intent. For instance “I will likely change my major in the next year” is based on a five point scale ranging from strongly agreed to strongly disagree.

            Research found that women use more social coping then men. This is probably due to gender roles. Women are more vocal in admitting for help from others to cope than men. Women who left the STEM major while at college had received greater grades than men received, but had a higher level of dissatisfaction with their major. The research supports a few reasons why women were more likely to leave the STEM major than men. First there is a lack of women mentors within the STEM programs. Even at MCLA I cannot think of many female teachers in the Computer Science Department. Women also faced feelings of low self efficacy due to the glass ceiling effect.  The glass ceiling effect is a metaphorical barrier that keeps women and minorities at a standstill within the corporate ladder, regardless of their qualifications.

            The research helped prove the stereotype that women do not feel welcome into jobs or majors that are associated with male attributes. This lack of acceptance leads to the decreased interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Many of the women who dropped out of a STEM major probably felt out of place and over whelmed with their lack of fitting in. The cartoons below my blog post illustrate women’s inequality in the field of science. Women are not equal to men in treatment, payment, or respect. I also want to point out that the reason that women dropped out of being STEM majors, was not due to their academic ability. It was because of the overwhelming psychological effects stemming from inequality.

 Source: Morganson, V.J., Meghan, P.J., Major, D.A. (2010). Understanding women’s underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics: The role of social coping. The Career Development Quarterly, 59, pages 169- 179.