University of Twente Student Theses
"Prestatiedrang, rode lippenstift en vrouwonvriendelijke grappen" : an interview based study into choices of female graduate students to pursue a university STEM study
Smink, M.L. (2018) "Prestatiedrang, rode lippenstift en vrouwonvriendelijke grappen" : an interview based study into choices of female graduate students to pursue a university STEM study.
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| Abstract: | In the last decade a great deal is being written and said about the underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). As research reveals only 24.9% of high school female students choose a STEM study in the Netherlands (VHTO, 2018). Different authors have researched possible explanations for this underrepresentation. To nuance this research into understanding why female students choose STEM studies we explore factors that influence the choices of female graduates students to pursue a university STEM study and possible occupation in STEM. This article draws from previous theories and research on the underrepresentation of women in STEM to develop the theoretical framework. The theoretical framework defines 3 groups of influential factors. These groups are the lack of interest of female students in STEM subjects, the cognitive stereotyping of gender and the perceptions about gender supportive workplace culture. Through the use of interviews with female graduate students at the University of Twente 13 factors can be perceived as influential. Results reveal that perceived influential factors can be social influencers as parents and teachers, events organized by the university, role models, stereotyping based on gender, the endorsement of communal characteristics and the cognitive and personal traits of female students. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 70 social sciences in general |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/75105 |
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