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Early Influences and the choice of college major: Can policies reduce the gender gap in scientific curricula (STEM)?

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  • Granato, Silvia

Abstract

I use rich administrative and survey data to analyse the determinants of the gender gap in STEM graduation rates among Italian college graduates. Results from both Gelbach and Oaxaca decompositions show that half of the gender gap in STEM graduation is attributed to the gender difference in maths and science content of the respective high school curricula. This finding indicates that in Italy the gender gap in STEM graduation has its roots in a gendered choice originating many years before and that effective interventions aimed at increasing girls’ interests in science and technology should be implemented at an early stage.

Suggested Citation

  • Granato, Silvia, 2023. "Early Influences and the choice of college major: Can policies reduce the gender gap in scientific curricula (STEM)?," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 494-521.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jpolmo:v:45:y:2023:i:3:p:494-521
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2023.04.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    STEM; Education; Gender;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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