Author: Pew Research Center
Published: 10th Jan 2018
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Gender Equality Publications
Summary: Perceived inequities are especially common among women in science, technology, engineering and math jobs who work mostly with men.
Half of women working in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs report having experienced gender discrimination at work, according to a new Pew Research Center survey examining people's experiences in the workplace and perceptions of fair treatment for women - as well as racial and ethnic minorities - in STEM occupations. The share of women in STEM reporting gender discrimination at work is higher among those who work in majority-male workplaces (78%), those who work in computer jobs (74%) and those with postgraduate degrees (62%).
When compared with women working in non-STEM fields, women in STEM are more likely to say they have experienced gender-related discrimination in the workplace (50% vs. 41%). In other respects, however, women in STEM jobs report facing challenges that echo those many working women in non-STEM positions face. For instance, both are equally likely to say they have experienced sexual harassment at work (22%) and both groups are less inclined than their male counterparts to think that women are "usually treated fairly" when it comes to opportunities for promotion and advancement.
The nationally representative survey of 4,914 U.S. adults included 2,344 workers in STEM jobs to speak to the issues facing women and minorities in the STEM workforce. It was conducted from July 11 to Aug. 10, 2017, prior to the many recent allegations of sexual harassment by men in positions of public prominence. An accompanying Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data finds that the number of jobs in STEM has grown substantially - particularly in computer occupations. Although there have been significant gains in women's representation in life and physical sciences since 1990, the share of women working in computer occupations has gone down 7 percentage points. Representation in STEM jobs has consequences for workers' wallets as STEM workers earn significantly more, on average, than non-STEM workers with similar education.
"At a time when the STEM community has been renewing its commitment to diversity, this study reveals that men and women in STEM continue to experience the workplace quite differently," said Cary Funk, director of science research at Pew Research Center and lead author of the report. "Half of women working in STEM say they have encountered some form of gender discrimination at work. Women employed in STEM settings where men outnumber women are among those most likely to say they see workplace inequities."
Women in STEM jobs are more likely than their male colleagues to report experiences with discrimination and to consider sexual harassment a problem at work.
Blacks stand out from other STEM workers for the high share who report having experienced race-related discrimination at work.
Women's representation in the STEM workforce varies widely across job types; it has gone up in life and physical sciences since 1990 but has gone down by 7 percentage points in computer jobs.
Most Americans rate K-12 STEM education as average or worse compared with other developed nations, so do those with an advanced degree in STEM.
This analysis relies on a broad-based definition of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce. STEM jobs include: computer and mathematical jobs, architecture and engineering, life sciences, physical sciences, and healthcare practitioners and technicians. Analysis of STEM workers in the Pew Research Center survey also includes teachers at the K-12 or postsecondary level with a specialty in teaching STEM subjects.
You can read the report at:
www.pewsocialtrends.org/2018/01/09/women-and-men-in-stem-often-at-odds-over-workplace-equity/
Post to Twitter Add to Facebook
Latest Gender Equality Publications | |
---|---|
The above information is from our reference library of resources relating to Gender Equality that includes: | |
Saudi Women's Pursuit of Reform Secures Citizenship Rights The research comes as Saudi Arabia's women can now drive, travel abroad without a male guardian's permission, apply for passports, and are almost on equal footing to men. Publish Date: 28th Jun 2024 | |
Gender Equality Progress Is Stalling Gender equality recovers to pre-pandemic levels but pace of progress has slowed with Iceland remaining the most gender-equal country, followed by Norway, Finland, New Zealand and Sweden. Publish Date: 27th Jul 2023 - Updated: 5th Oct 2024 | |
Gender Inequality Among Scientific Editors Women are consistently underrepresented among editors, and female editors are less likely to publish their research in the journals they edit. Publish Date: 16th Jan 2023 | |
Men Deterred from HEED Careers Due to Male Gender Bias Bias against men in health care, early education, and domestic (HEED) fields have been documented, and the current study sought to gauge the impact of that bias. Publish Date: 24th Dec 2022 |
1Transgender Reporting Guide
How to write about transgender people.
2Am I Gay? Questions to Ask
Think you may be gay or bisexual?
3Glossary of Sexuality Terms
Definitions of sexual terms & acronyms.
4LGBTQ+ Pride Flags
Symbols of Identity and Inclusion.
5LGBT Awareness Dates
Important LGBTQ community awareness days, remembrance dates, and coming pride events.
• Submissions: Send us your coming events and LGBTQ related news stories.
• Report Errors: Please report outdated or inaccurate information to us.
• (APA): Pew Research Center. (2018, January 10). Women and Men in STEM Often at Odds Over Workplace Equity. SexualDiversity.org. Retrieved November 9, 2024 from www.sexualdiversity.org/discrimination/equality/858.php
• Permalink: <a href="https://www.sexualdiversity.org/discrimination/equality/858.php">Women and Men in STEM Often at Odds Over Workplace Equity</a>