The Suppression of Women Within Science

The Suppression of Women Within Science
Kristen MacKenzie
Women’s Studies 1020E: 001
Monday, February 10th, 2014
Crystal Gaudet

The Suppression of Women Within Science

As Ellen Swallow Richards once said, “Men are here to stay; we might as well just work with them.” It goes without argument that science, technology, engineering and mathematics are all fields predominately occupied by males. Throughout the past decades women have been striving to be seen as equal to men within STEM fields, but the struggle continues whether it is in regards to acceptance of the intelligence of women, the gender wage gap, or even utilizing the contrasting relationship of education and household chores. Within Shaping Women or Changing The System: Accounts of Gender Inequality in Science, it begins to elaborate on both views of women in science whether it is the stereotypical statement focusing on how women are incapable or on the other had it is the structural system that is flawed. Lynne Kiorpes first faced the suppression of women within sciences when she entered an engineering program and her male professor stated, “I see women in the classroom. I don't believe women have any business in engineering, and I'm going to personally see to it that you all fail.” The blatant sexism is repulsive and the statistics outlined within Perceiving Glass Ceilings brings to the surface the true issues of the segregation and suppression of women within STEM education and careers.

Kamerade, D. (2007). Shaping Women or Changing The System: Accounts of Gender Inequality in Science. Equal Opportunities International, 26(2), 162-170
Within Daiga’s online journal, she has addressed four novels including; Leaks in the Pipeline to Math, Science, and Technology Careers, which focuses on elementary school levels predicting young women’s understanding of mathematics as well as science. The second novel addressed is known as, Removing Barriers: Women in Academic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This novel points to a woman’s inability and disinterest for sciences, technology, engineering and even mathematics. This novel indicates how majority of women must succumb to fit the heavily male dominated and masculine culture of STEM, which should be changed in order to promote the current system to appeal more to women and become less fixated on the male ideal. The third novel, Who Succeeds in Science? The Gender Dimension, investigates the stereotypical internal factors that may have an influence on this type of career as well as any external factors within today’s society that may assist in a career in science or simply demolish any hope. Finally, How Gender, Organization Culture, and the Problem Choice Process Influence the Productivity of Scientists. Within this final article it states how differences and inequality of gender are a result of research problem choices. In further investigation, the article also describes how organizational culture may also play a part in influencing the productivity of scientists. These novels taken into one journal it magnifies the barriers created by the social and organizational culture of our society. It is evident that there is a major need for action that insists on a change in the structural systems that are currently magnifying male success and favouring male scientists, forming a distinct type of patriarchy. This content is extremely relevant to the final essay, utilizing that information given from these for novels as well as looking at them as a whole, it will allow me to comprehend issues surrounding STEM careers and women in depth. Reading through this article it was simple to follow as well as straight forward in the sense that it illustrates the two contrasting views of women in science stating that either women are not ambitious while also illustrating that women are suppressed by the current social structure. Cech, E., Blair-Loy, M. (2010). Perceiving Glass Ceilings? Meritocratic Versus Structural Explanations of Gender Inequality Among Women in Science and Technology. Social Problems, 57 (3), 372-393
Perceiving Glass Ceilings by Erin and Mary was, at several points, difficult to follow while also utilizing key factors formulating how gender inequality may be terminated in an illustrative setting. Within the article, it puts a positive spin on women in technological fields by magnifying their success. It is clear to see through the graphs and diagrams used in the article that the, “multinomial logistics of regression” are each used to illustrate the three primary factors holding women back from advancement within these distinguished fields. The article draws the juggling of household duties as well as the pressures of a fulfilling career in order to fully understand both of these circumstances and the effect it plays in relation to gender inequality. Blaming gender inequality on the career and family measures, led to the documentation of 60% of respondents who view glass ceilings on their career aspirations. Within the article there are several other statistics accounting for other reasons as to why women believe they are held back in their careers as well as how many individuals perceive women to lack individual motivation. By utilizing several of these statistics, it would allow for a strong argument against our current social structure focusing on improvement and appealing more to women rather than consistently preaching women lack motivation. Although this article was challenging to read, the content is extremely well organized and filled with strong information that can be used to enhance my argument.

Shen, H. (2013, March 06). Inequality Quantified: Mind The Gender Gap. Nature, pp. 22-24
Following two academic journals, reading Helen Shen’s article about the inequality within the science field was refreshing. As Shen utilized interviews with Lynne Kiorpes and other inspirational women, it allowed for a clear connection between my journey within the science and engineering field when I was on the robotics team in high school and the discrimination we faced as a team. The article outlined the blatant sexism these women faced through their academic journey, forcing them to drop out of any STEM program and study a more ‘suitable’ course. Within the article, there are several statistics used to illustrate the gender gap within the science and engineering fields. Shockingly, women earn about half the doctorates in science and engineering but comprise of only twenty-one percent of full science professors and five percent of full engineering professors. Not only is this a shocking fact, yet on average women earn eighty-two percent of what male scientists make. Drawing on the connections made between Shen and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, it is evident that although this source of information may come from a news article, it is extremely credible.