Female and male adolescents' subjective orientations to mathematics and the influence of those orientations on postsecondary majors.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0027020
• Publication Date: 2012-03-06T00:14:38Z
• Authors: Lara Perez-Felkner; Sarah-Kathryn McD...; Barbara Schneider; Erin Grogan
• Keywords: Gender gap; Underrepresented Minority

Although important strides toward gender parity have been made in several scientific fields, women remain underrepresented the physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computer sciences (PEMCs). This study examines effects of adolescents' subjective orientations, course taking, academic performance on likelihood majoring PEMC college. Results indicate that racial-ethnic underrepresentation science, technology, mathematics (STEM) fields are interrelated should be examined with attention to intersecting factors influencing female minority pathways careers these fields. Among those who major closely resemble men respect their orientations. The orientations women's chances vary by secondary school completion levels. Women take more courses likely PEMC; however, taking alone does not attenuate disparities declaring majors. High ability (as measured standardized test scores 10th grade) appears positively associated selection social, behavioral, clinical, health science association is less robust (and slightly negative) for PEMC. While advanced assist selecting majors, enter may as strong select other, male-dominated