Inkwell
Women and Science
by Allison Kasic
March 11, 2009, 11:03am
Yet another study shows that fewer women than men reach the highest levels in STEM fields because they have different priorities. "Individual preferences" were the most powerful explanatory factor, according to the study. More info here. IWF on the subject here.
Keep this info in mind next time you hear politicians talk about the need to Title IX (aka regulate) the academic sciences to get more women involved.
1 Comment
Marjorie | March 13, 2009, 5:18am | #
Individual preferences. Riiiight. We all just happen to WANT to do the majority of the unpaid labor around our homes. See, we just naturally love working for free at the expense of our careers.
Yes, I understand my objection doesn't relate to your main point. The cultural pressures and assumptions that keep women at home are not necessarily best addressed by legislation. But to call this a matter of "individual preference" ignores the enormous structure of culture, media, relationships, and other pressures that make it difficult for women to in any way become liberated from caretaking responsibilities. Try taking the position that maybe you shouldn't be the one doing 75 - 100% of the child and elder care in your family, as opposed to your husband or brothers. It is pretty hard to do that without being labeled a heartless mother and uncaring daughter. That's the true nature of the "individual choices" women make.