Final Essay: Why there are Few Women Becoming Scientists and Engineers

Final Essay: Why there are Few women becoming scientists and engineers
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Introduction
There is growing demand for scientists and engineers, but the number of people enrolling in these fields has not narrowed the gap. Young women are underrepresented in science-oriented majors, especially when there are no mentors and role models. The role of socialization cannot be ignored in influencing the choices and attitudes about sciences. There are few women becoming scientists and engineers, where interest, expectations, social norms, achievement, disparities in income pay, cultural differences and gender stereotypes are factors that influence the choice of women to pursue science and engineering courses, and work in these fields.
Impact of social norm
There are various reasons for the low representation of women in technology, science and engineering fields. One of the challenges is to change the socialization process, since teachers and counselors guide girls away from being scientists and engineers believing that boys are better suited to these fields. The teachers, counselors, and parents are role models that influence the decisions of students to choose the sciences. Most science teachers and instructors are male, and this discourages some women from pursuing science and engineering courses. This has a long lasting effect on the pool of workers available, and as fewer women graduate from these programs their representation in the workforce is also low.
Stereotypes about scientists and engineers focus on the male dominated fields overly represented by geeky guys. This turns away young women who may believe this perception despite being good in science and mathematics (Bieri Buschor et al., 2014). The perception that the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields are like the old-boys club, and women have to adjust to fit in with the male coworkers makes it uncomfortable for women to pursue science and engineering education. This potentially turns off interested female scientists and engineers, who are also likely to receive less pay for the same type of jobs. For women to graduate and get jobs as scientists and engineers there is a need to address barriers to their participation. This includes changes in attitudes among faculties and employers to make it more conducive for female learners to achieve their education goals in STEM subjects.
Interest in science and engineering
Developing interest in sciences and engineering influences the education and career choice of female learners and workers. Those who have been previously exposed to advanced scientific and mathematical studies are more likely to choose the STEM majors (Bieri Buschor et al., 2014). This highlights that young women need to be well informed about their choices while in high school, as this affects their career choice. In some instances, they are ill-informed and fail to identify science subjects relevant for science majors that they inadvertently eliminate courses and career options in the sciences. Women have mathematical and scientific abilities like their male counterparts, and they are more likely to choose medicine, biology or psychology while fewer of them choose IT, ...