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How Gender, Culture, and Economy Influence Field of Study Preferences in Higher Education: Exploring Gender Gaps in STEM, AHSS, and Medicine among International Students

Author

Listed:
  • Corina Florina Tătar

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, University of Oradea, Str. Universității nr. 1, 410087 Oradea, Romania)

  • Marius Ioan Tătar

    (Department of Political Science and Communication Sciences, University of Oradea, Str. Universității nr. 1, Campus II, C55 Building, 410087 Oradea, Romania)

  • János Pénzes

    (Department of Social Geography and Regional Development, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • George W. White

    (Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences, South Dakota State University, 1025 Medary Ave, Brookings, SD 57006, USA)

Abstract

International female and male students’ segregation per academic fields of study designates an important challenge for educational equity, diversity, and gender equality in tertiary education institutions worldwide. This study probes the determinants of study field choice among 984 students from 57 countries who enrolled at the University of Oradea, Romania, during 2022–2023. By incorporating gender approaches and concepts within broader economic and cultural theories, we utilized the bivariate analysis and multinominal regression models to scrutinize how students’ preferences for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), AHSS (arts, humanities, and social sciences), or medicine are influenced by their gender, and the more general cultural and economic attributes of their home country. Our findings enrich the knowledge and understanding of gendered patterns of academic study field choice, providing a cross-cultural and integrative viewpoint that enables us to set forth recommendations to bridge higher education gender gaps.

Suggested Citation

  • Corina Florina Tătar & Marius Ioan Tătar & János Pénzes & George W. White, 2023. "How Gender, Culture, and Economy Influence Field of Study Preferences in Higher Education: Exploring Gender Gaps in STEM, AHSS, and Medicine among International Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:15820-:d:1277670
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chang Xu & Futao Xiang & Ruiqi Duan & Cristina Miralles-Cardona & Xinxin Huo & Junwei Xu, 2023. "An Analysis of Factors Influencing Chinese University Students’ Major Choice from the Perspective of Gender Differences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-13, September.
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    3. Catherine Porter & Danila Serra, 2020. "Gender Differences in the Choice of Major: The Importance of Female Role Models," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 12(3), pages 226-254, July.
    4. Gupta, Sanjeev & Verhoeven, Marijn & Tiongson, Erwin R., 2002. "The effectiveness of government spending on education and health care in developing and transition economies," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 717-737, November.
    5. Cornia, Giovanni Andrea & Paniccia, Renato (ed.), 2000. "The Mortality Crisis in Transitional Economies," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198297413.
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