Empirical studies have shown that the women students are underrepresented in the disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Its possible reasons could be (A) Women students do not feel comfortable with STEM subjects. (B) Women students cannot excel in STEM subjects (C) Women students lack aptitude in STEM subjects (D) Women students face threats due to negative stereotypes. (E) Women students are not encouraged by their parents to join STEM disciplines. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Empirical studies have shown that the women students are underrepresented in the disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Its possible reasons could be (A) Women students do not feel comfortable with STEM subjects. (B) Women students cannot excel in STEM subjects (C) Women students lack aptitude in STEM subjects (D) Women students face threats due to negative stereotypes. (E) Women students are not encouraged by their parents to join STEM disciplines. Choose the correct answer from the options given below: Correct Answer (D), (E) only

STEM education is a teaching approach that combines science, technology, engineering, and math. Its recent successor, STEAM, also incorporates the arts, which have the ability to expand the limits of STEM education and application.

Key Points

After reviewing research from the fields of psychology, sociology, economics, and education over the past 30 years, the researchers have summarized six explanations for women’s underrepresentation in math-intensive STEM fields:

  1. cognitive ability,
  2. relative cognitive strengths,
  3. occupational interests or preferences,
  4. lifestyle values or work-family balance preferences,
  5. field-specific ability beliefs, and
  6. gender-related stereotypes and biases.

The researchers also described the potential biological, psychological and sociocultural explanations for observed gender differences on cognitive and motivational factors and demonstrate the developmental periods during which each factor becomes most relevant. 

  • Sociological factors indicate that a patriarchal system and male dominance perpetuate gender inequality in STEM.
  • Findings also indicate that cultural myths and beliefs that the science field is hard and that women are incapable of handling masculine activities hinder women from participating in science-related fields.
  • The findings indicate further that a lack of laboratories in secondary schools forces teachers to teach science subjects by using theories as an alternative to practical instruction.
  • From a psychological point of view, evidence suggests that a lack of confidence among female students themselves regarding performance in science subjects hinders them from participating in STEM fields.

Hence, the possible reasons for Empirical studies have shown that the women students are underrepresented in the disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) could be Women students face threats due to negative stereotypes, and Women students are not encouraged by their parents to join STEM disciplines.

Related Questions

The question below is followed by two statements I and II. You have to determine whether the data given is sufficient for answering the question. You should use the data and your knowledge of mathematics to choose the best possible answer. In a class of 100 students, different students study different subjects either Science, Maths or English. Find the probability of selecting a student who studies Maths. I. 40% of the students studies English. II. The number of students who study Maths is twice the number of students who study Science.