Could Dating Be A Reason Why More Women Don’t Work in Technology?
Career vs. love. Love vs. career. For many women out there, this is a common struggle, and one that we deal with (and become distracted by) at several points throughout our lives. But according to a new study, when women are primed to think about their love lives, they become less interested in STEM- (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related fields and coursework. Really?? Could this actually be a reason why more women don’t work in science and technology?
Researchers at the University of Buffalo (NY) have published a study finding that:
When women are “pursuing romantic goals” they tend to shy away from academic work in [STEM]. In two experiments, subjects were exposed to images and conversations that primed them to think about dating, and then completed questionnaires regarding their interest in pursuing STEM versus other majors. Women who thought about dating and not intelligence or friendship reported less interest in STEM fields. A third component of the study asked women to keep track of their feelings of romance and their interest in math, and found that the two were at odds.
But why is this the case?
- Maybe this is less about women trying to be desirable, and more about the men they think they will meet.
- Perhaps it’s because of women’s acceptance or acknowledgment of gender-based stereotypes (although I really hope that isn’t the case! I want to give us women more credit than that.) As the reasoning goes, some women may believe that men don’t find brainiac scientists appealing, and choose academic pursuits they believe will be more “accepted” and less off-putting.
- Or maybe it’s because going after more intellectually-based professional goals in typically masculine fields (such as STEM) is seen as being at odds with more traditional romantic goals that are usually associated with gender norms.
But what this also speaks to is the influences of the surrounding environment that women grow up in and become so accustomed to. How many messages are sent every day that being sexy and attractive is important?
But there has to be something else going on here? Right?
According to a recent article, which highlighted this study, the author brings up a very valid point:
“Why would any woman who wanted to maximize her dating opportunities avoid science, math, and technology? Her odds are obviously better in the fields where she is underrepresented. But women don’t merely want to maximize their opportunities, they also want to increase the quality of their opportunities. Maybe it is not that women are trying to make themselves more desirable, but that they aren’t that into the men they meet in their STEM classes.”
Clearly, there are lots and lots of possibilities as to why this is happening. I think whatever is actual reason is behind this effect, this study can be heaped onto the stack of other studies that also seek to explain the continual gender gap – especially in tech-based fields. Only one explanation can only go so far, when there are so many variables to consider. Or maybe the issue is just with the men!
What do you think?
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