A bittersweet picture is painted before my eyes. On the one hand, I see all these examples of women in science and technology, whom I admire for their achievements and the fulfillment of their dreams. The two-time Nobel Prize winner in chemistry and physics – Marie Curie-Sklodowska. Margaret Hamilton, who with her team developed the software for the Apollo space program. Jane Goodall the now legendary researcher in primatology and anthropology. And these are only the most common portraits of women appearing around March.
On the other hand, however, I also see a lot of barriers, difficulties and beliefs that still have to be overcome by a woman trying her hand at STEM (an approach that combines: science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Quite a few of them are wrong, so it’s also worth breaking some stereotypes.
STEM is no place for women
According to statistics, in 2023 there were 7.7 million women working in science and engineering in the European Union (381,200 more than 2022), accounting for 41% of all positions. However, this situation was not as optimistic in all corners of Europe. Depending on the region, we are talking about fluctuations between 30 and 56 percent. [1]
Between 1960 and 2013, the percentage of women among employed scientists in the U.S. increased from 28% to 49% in biological sciences, from 8% to 35% in chemistry, and from 3% to 11% in physics and astronomy [2].
One can debate to what extent the low representation of women in STEM is due to statistically better abilities and interests in other fields, and to what extent it is a reproduction of stereotypes in society (nature vs. nurture). However, this does not change the fact that: women can achieve similar positions and successes as men; their interests can oscillate around engineering, technology or various sciences (not just the social ones); they can be talented in these fields; and they have a predisposition to do it all [4].
The perception of women in science is not changing
It is changing and will continue to change. Already the above statistics show this.
This can also be seen, for example, in the representation of female scientists in children’s publications. The percentage of female scientific presence in one such magazine rose from 13% in 1960 to 44% in 2000. 44% of female scientists appeared in a textbook in 2008, and 42% of female representation appeared in a popular high school program in 2006 [2].
This can also be noticed in children’s drawings. Children are much less likely to paint male figures of scientists than they were a decade ago. One study from 1966-1977 painted an average of 99.4% male scientists, while from 1985-2016 it was already an average of 72%. The girls themselves also began drawing female scientists more often, from 1.2% in 1983 to 65% in later years [2].
What is noteworthy, however, is that these children’s drawings are influenced by stereotypes. In kindergarten, this female representation in paintings is equal to that of males. However, the older the children get, the more often male images can be seen there. What this seems to tell us is that school and society still shows some inequality in the perception of women in STEM [2].
Women are not good at math
There is such a phenomenon as stereotype threat. It is based on the fact that if there is a belief in the environment about a particular social group, it can negatively affect the results of that group’s actions, subconsciously wanting to confirm the stereotype.
This can happen, for example, with women’s performance on math tests. It is enough to remind them that they are women, or that statistically women perform worse in the sciences, for their test results to be significantly lower than men’s, even though they were comparable without such information [2].
Such statements cause stress and anxiety, which translates later into poorer concentration or attention. Besides, they become memorable and give an easy excuse to give up effort at the first difficulty.
This stereotype also applies to teachers, who happen to favor the efforts of boys and overlook those presented by girls [4]. Which ultimately results in greater success for men in science and discourages women from participating in similar projects.
It can be broken through awareness of the falsity of the stereotype and all those activities that promote activities in an area threatened by the stereotype. So it is worth inviting women into STEM and not judging them from above.
Women need to prove something
As women enter previously male-dominated areas, they struggle with: sexism, bullying, inequality, etc. Ladies also have a need to prove to others that they are up to the job and to earn it harder than male co-workers. It can come down to workaholism and “acting like a man.”
Here let me insert some statements from women working in STEM:
- “That’s the fine line we have to walk, right? We don’t want the world to look like we just have to act like men. But on the other hand, we also don’t want it to be that we’re special snowflakes who have to be treated nicely because we’re women.” [7]
- “You have to play their game. So if you’re in a male-dominated environment, you have to act like a man, you have to be assertive…. But at the end of the day, I felt that this was very damaging to many of my other relationships with women.” [7]
- “I noticed that many professors and women in leadership positions are exceptionally good, to the point that one of them was an absolutely crazy workaholic. I wondered how she was still alive. And then I found out that she also had four children.” [7]
- “I often question myself. And I think that also keeps me from asking for help. And because I feel like people must think that I’m perfect or that I’m better at something, and if I admit that I need help, I add to that, you know, look at her, she needs more help than others.” [7]
- “I’ve noticed that also with my male colleagues, my female colleagues, you have to be really very firm to convince your point of view and so that it’s not constantly questioned. Whereas it’s usually the case that if you’re a guy, you present your point of view and everyone says, ‘aha, okay.’ And that’s it. So I think in general, if you’re a woman, you have to present a lot more justifications.” [7]
- “At some point I got the impression that being really open or competent in what I did, especially in math and science, didn’t appeal to people when girls did it. So I learned to be more non-threatening and stay in the shadows. And even though I know I’m very good at what I do, I just try not to get in anyone’s way.” [7]
- “I feel that since I was an undergraduate, it got worse. And then something related to a higher degree and recurring imposter syndrome just came up. I wish I was as confident as I was then… I didn’t know half of what I know today, and yet I have twice as many doubts.” [7]
Of course, women should do their jobs, but workaholism only brings professional burnout. It’s also worth considering who we really want to prove something to, because sometimes we only impose these high standards on ourselves.
Women don’t believe in themselves
Finally, a bit about imposter syndrome. This is a phenomenon in which a person feels that his achievements are inadequate for the skills or knowledge he possesses. Despite her successes, she considers herself incompetent. She fears possible “unmasking,” and her fears reinforce her perfectionism. Sound familiar? Although it fits with the statement above.
In one study, female managers felt they did a good job in terms of time and cost, but not necessarily with the quality of production and services. They also rated their own productivity much lower than their male counterparts. [5]
It was also found that women in managerial positions perceived their work situation differently from men in the same positions in several aspects. They rated themselves significantly lower than men in using a variety of skills, influencing the lives or work of others, having sufficient theoretical and technical knowledge, doing interesting work, having a good person-environment fit, contributing to standard operating procedures, taking pride in their companies, and receiving adequate resources to do their jobs. [5]
All of this may be indicative of an equally unhelpful working environment for women in STEM, but also of low self-confidence. All of this, too, should lend itself to being reinforced by paying more attention to employee well-being and ensuring a healthy and comfortable work environment.
Summary
Women are present and interested in STEM. There are various stereotypes or barriers, but this is the time to break them down, talk about them, and point out the valuable attitudes of women in STEM.
Sources
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/web/products-eurostat-news/w/edn-20250211-1?fbclid=IwY2xjawI9IWZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHe7LMY4CAQeYMSMMP0VDEQVXvGksIl_NMJ8SfEFCUkSWhcvr2xZSAND5DQ_aem_GHx_HjdmDThDDO7PHG33uA
- Miller, D. I., Nolla, K. M., Eagly, A. H., & Uttal, D. H. (2018). The development of children’s gender-science stereotypes: A meta-analysis of 5 decades of US Draw-a-Scientist studies. Child development, 89(6), 1943-1955.
- Spencer, S. J., Steele, C. M., & Quinn, D. M. (1999). Stereotype threat and women’s math performance. Journal of experimental social psychology, 35(1), 4-28.
- Stewart-Williams, S., & Halsey, L. G. (2021). Men, women and STEM: Why the differences and what should be done? European Journal of Personality, 35(1), 3-39.
- Ling, F. Y., Zhang, Z., & Tay, S. Y. (2020). Imposter syndrome and gender stereotypes: Female facility managers’ work outcomes and job situations. Journal of management in engineering, 36(5), 04020061.
- Blackburn, H. (2017). The status of women in STEM in higher education: A review of the literature 2007-2017. Science & Technology Libraries, 36(3), 235-273.
- O’connell, C., & McKinnon, M. (2021). Perceptions of barriers to career progression for academic women in STEM. Societies, 11(2), 27.
