Abstracts Womens Studies

Where do girls who aspired to mathematical careers in secondary school end up 20 years later? A longitudinal examination of women's and men's motivations, choices and pathways from adolescence to adulthood.

by Lili Toh

Gender representation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a longstanding concern. Women have increased representation in life and health sciences but remain the minority in mathematical STEM which can have negative consequences for individuals, workplaces and societies. Through 3 publications, women’s choices away from mathematical STEM focus on 3 life milestones: tertiary education, starting a family and career entry. Studies utilise Study of Transitions and Educational Pathways data following adolescents into adulthood. Study 1 (N = 212; 115 women) examined how adolescent mathematics motivations predicted attainment of mathematical STEM or life science vs. non-STEM degrees, for women versus men. Mathematical interest was key to women, but not men, attaining a mathematical STEM degree. Study 2 (N = 300; 168 women) examined the relations of traditional gender role beliefs and starting a family on mathematical career trajectories from adolescent aspirations to actual adult careers. Women with no children showed an upward trajectory compared with women who had children, or men regardless of having children or not. Counter to hypothesis, traditional gender role beliefs did not explain these relationships, interpreted in light of these participants’ rather egalitarian values. Study 3 (N = 279; 153 women) examined how agentic and communal occupational goal combinations could affect mathematical career trajectories. Women were more likely than men to endorse a combination of high communal/low agentic goals, associated with a downward trajectory, unlike other goal combinations. Collectively, mathematical interest, motherhood, and occupational goals shaped mathematical career trajectories of women. Implications underscore promoting mathematical interest, family-friendly policies, and communal values in mathematical STEM at all career stages to sustain and improve women’s representation by addressing deterrents from their adolescent aspirations.