STEM students' perception of the gender gap. A case study.

Abstract

The scarce women representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees has unleashed the alarm in the social, political, economic and academic level. That is why this study aims to analyse female thinking about the construction of masculinity in their professional careers, as well as explains the meaning they give to their profession and how the environment can influence that meaning. 13 students from different degrees and levels of the University of Alicante participated in the study. They were all interviewed and their contributions were interpreted with the qualitative data analysis software AQUAD 7. A conventional content analysis and a summative analysis were carried out. It can be deduced from the results the shortage of female referents, the existence of stereotypes and the prevalence of situations of discrimination. In this sense, the increase of female referents as well as the deconstruction of the stereotyped culture, around these areas, is considered fundamental to favour the construction of egalitarian contexts in which there can be a balance in men and women presence.