The Hidden Reason Reducing the Number of Women in Science and Engineering: Socioeconomic Inequality

The low representation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is a complex issue debated globally. A comprehensive study conducted in Şili has brought to light a critical detail that changes the course of the barriers faced by women, who make up only %21 of graduates in this field. This study, led by researcher Fernanda Ramírez from Universidad Católica, reveals that behind the gender gap lies a much less visible but equally powerful factor. This factor is socioeconomic background and poverty, a condition whose impact increases with each passing day. Researchers state that when poverty and gender inequality converge, they do not simply add up; rather, they compound and deepen one another.

One of the most striking findings of the research is that as income levels drop, the gap between men and women widens at an incredible pace. According to the data, in the lowest-income groups, the participation rate of men in STEM fields is exactly seven times higher than that of women. In contrast, although this gap narrows slightly in higher-income groups, it unfortunately does not disappear completely. When scientists examine the root cause of this stark difference, they consistently arrive at the same conclusion: the stubborn presence of traditional gender roles within households. These stereotyped roles, ingrained in the minds of society, stand out as the biggest barrier preventing girls, especially from poor families, from pursuing scientific and technical careers.

Experts in the field of education emphasize that this problem stems not merely from a lack of information, but has much deeper psychological and cultural dimensions. As part of the research, students' career orientation tendencies were analyzed through an artificial intelligence chatbot used by thousands of students. The fact that young women from low-income backgrounds are among the most active users of this digital tool demonstrates their desire to access information. However, strikingly, it was found that these women asked far fewer questions about STEM careers through the bot compared to their male peers. Experts state that the 'these jobs are for men' bias in young girls' minds is so strong that simply providing information will be insufficient to solve the problem.

To change this negative picture, the presence of female role models and inspiring figures is of vital importance. Various studies in the literature confirm that female students who are a minority in technical fields achieve much more successful results when they have other female friends in their class or when technical courses are taught by female professors. Researcher Ramírez explicitly warns that women are severely harmed by the negative effects of being a minority in educational environments. Accordingly, higher education institutions such as Duoc UC are carrying out concrete projects aimed at strengthening vocational guidance work, making successful women visible, and creating inclusive classroom environments. Institution officials state that they have observed when provided with the right opportunities and inspiring models, women can courageously build their own futures in fields such as technology and engineering.

On the other hand, officials along note that the ingraining of traditional prejudices into children's minds from an early age is considered the strongest barrier to break. It is stated that many young girls give up on their dreams despite having the necessary skills and interests, because they do not receive supportive messages from their environment or due to a lack of role models nearby to look up to. According to researcher Ramírez, increasing women's participation in STEM fields is a duty that requires collaboration not only from universities but also from schools, teachers, and families. In order not to waste human potential, which is society's most valuable treasure, it is imperative to dismantle the structures that restrict girls through social and cultural pressures. Otherwise, the loss created by the minds that will be deprived of future scientific and technological innovations will reach irreparable proportions.