Gender Schemas- What Really Holds Women Back From Science

by: Nicole Murgia

One of the most talked about issues regarding feminism is women in the work force and the inequality that they encounter.  In the book Why Aren’t More Women in Science, the topic of women in the work force, specifically the scientific field, is discussed in great detail. Chapter 1 is an essay titled Women at the Top in Science- And Elsewhere by Virginia Valian. Valian explains the unfairness women encounter in not only the scientific field, but the worldwide work force as a whole. By comparing test scores and exploring gender schemas, Valian provides us with a deeper understanding of the why more women are not in science.

What I found extremely eye-opening in Valian’s writing were the statistics she presented regarding the difference in standardized test scores between men and women. According to the statistics, women and men really do not differ very much in mathematical test scores.  Scores were compared between men and women in the United States, Japan, and Singapore. In all three countries, there was only a marginal difference in scores. In fact, Valian concluded that “If high test scores were the main determinant of mathematical discovery, Asians- male and female- would dominate mathematics” (Valian 29-30). Based on these statistics, it is clear that there is an outside source that is keeping women from pursuing careers in the science field.

Gender schemas are a major contributor to the inequality of women in the work force and they “…affect judgements of people’s competence, ability, and worth” (Valian 32). From the time a girl is born, she is flooded with gender schemas. Most young girls are given dolls as toys, live in a room painted pink filled with frilly furniture, and entertain themselves by playing in play kitchens and with dollhouses. Once girls mature, they begin to realize how much the world has to offer them. And once they go off to college, they are presented with endless opportunities.

However, because of gender schemas, girls will always doubt themselves when it comes to pursuing careers because “we see females as nurturant, expressive, and behaving communally” (Valian 32). Will they be able to pursue their dreams while also upholding the role of a women with starting a family? Many careers, especially in the science field, require additional schooling. If a woman would like to pursue a career in medicine, she has to think of the “strain” that her career will put on her possible future husband and future family. As sad as it sounds, women may shy away from the medical field, as well as the entire science field, because it may stand in the way of starting a family. Our society has conformed to these ideas and it seems almost impossible to break free from them.

At this point in our society and generation, it is solely up to us to change the perceived schemas and stereotypes of women. If more people, particularly women, knew that there is little to no scientific evidence backing the fact that men are more capable of scientific fields; I believe that many more women would feel confident with becoming renowned biologists, innovative engineers, and brilliant doctors.