Are young women still reluctant to go for careers in science, technology, engineering or maths? New statistics suggest the answer is ‘NO!’
BY OLIVIA TYSOE
For young women considering a career in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM careers) statistics which surround the issue of gender inequality can be off-putting, reinforcing fears about sexual discrimination or worries about their ability to compete with male peers in the workplace. Studies in the past have revealed a gender imbalance in certain STEM fields which suggest there is a natural difference in the scientific skills and aptitude of men and women which have caused understandable concern. However, a recent report by the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee presents evidence to combat some of these concerns and outlines what can be done to level the gender playing field in areas where it is still uneven. The Wellcome Trust called for better career tracking of the career paths of women in STEM fields after the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee published their report on Women in STEM Careers in November 2013.
In the report, the ‘nature versus nurture’ debate is thoroughly analysed to try and decide whether male brains really are naturally more geared up for STEM field activities than female brains. While compelling evidence does exist of naturally occurring differences in male and female brains, these findings are only reflective of the average differences between men and women. There is nothing conclusive in the report about the abilities of specific individuals. Young women with the interest and aptitude to pursue a scientific career should have no worries at all about doing so.
Reassuringly, taken as a whole, female undergraduates in STEM subjects now outnumber male undergraduates, with girls making up 52% of all science undergraduates. While boys still dominate engineering and technology (85.7% male) and computer science (82.6%), the gender ratio in the physical sciences is smaller than expected and female undergraduates significantly outnumber males in the biological sciences.
STEM related careers can be demanding with many challenges but rewarding, but thankfully gender discrimination is increasingly not one of them. Any young woman who wants a career in a STEM field subject should have no fear that her gender will disadvantage her career in any way - or that science is something ‘girls can’t do’. Perhaps Albert Einstein got it right when he said, “I do not mind that you are a girl, but the main thing is that you yourself do not mind. There is no reason for it.” He’s got a point, hasn’t he?
If a STEM career interests you, have a look at http://stemettes.org
