Gender-biased public perception of STEM fields, focusing on the influence of egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles

Many studies have examined the impression that the general public has of science and how this can prevent girls from choosing science fields. Using an online questionnaire, we investigated whether the public perception of several academic fields was gender-biased in Japan. First, we found the gender...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of science communication Vol. 19; no. 1; p. A08
Main Authors Ikkatai, Yuko, Minamizaki, Azusa, Kano, Kei, Inoue, Atsushi, McKay, Euan, Yokoyama, Hiromi M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Sissa Medialab srl / Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati 09.03.2020
Subjects
Male identity
Mechanical engineering
Nursing
Prejudice
Sex discrimination
Sex roles
Technology
Japan
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Summary:Many studies have examined the impression that the general public has of science and how this can prevent girls from choosing science fields. Using an online questionnaire, we investigated whether the public perception of several academic fields was gender-biased in Japan. First, we found the gender-bias gap in public perceptions was largest in nursing and mechanical engineering. Second, people who have a low level of egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles perceived that nursing was suitable for women. Third, people who have a low level of egalitarian attitudes perceived that many STEM fields are suitable for men. This suggests that gender-biased perceptions toward academic fields can still be found in Japan.
ISSN:1824-2049
1824-2049
DOI:10.22323/2.19010208