Masculinity in the public image of physics and mathematics: a new model comparing Japan and England

• Published in: Public understanding of science (Bristol, England) Vol. 30; no. 7; pp. 810 - 826
• Main Authors: Ikkatai, Yuko, Inoue, Atsushi, Minamizaki, Azusa, Kano, Kei, McKay, Euan, Yokoyama, Hiromi M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.10.2021; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Academic careers; Career Choice; Engineering; Female; Humans; Internet; Japan; Male; Masculinity; Mathematical analysis; Mathematics; Physics; Science; Social factors; Stereotypes; Women; Japan; United Kingdom > UK; England; gender; mathematics; physics; STEM
• ISSN: 0963-6625; 1361-6609
• DOI: 10.1177/09636625211002375

Women are a minority in science, technology, engineering and mathematics academic careers. In particular, few women in Japan choose to study physics and mathematics. In this study, we investigated the factors contributing to the masculine image of physics and mathematics based on the framework of our expanded model. We conducted online questionnaire surveys in Japan and England, and found that physics and mathematics occupations, and mathematical stereotypes were both related to a masculine image. Only in Japan were social factors, such as a person’s attitude to intellectual women, related to viewing mathematics as ‘masculine’. However, the experience of being told or having heard that the choice of a particular course of studies would make someone less attractive to the opposite sex was evident only in England. This finding suggests that social factors affect the masculine image of physics and mathematics, and that this could vary depending on the country.