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Making STEM “Family Friendly”: The Impact of Perceiving Science Careers as Family-Compatible

Author

Listed:
  • Erica S. Weisgram

    (Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481, USA)

  • Amanda B. Diekman

    (Department of Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA)

Abstract

Two studies extended the communal goal congruity perspective to examine perceived incongruity between science careers and family caregiving goals. Study 1 examined beliefs about science careers among young adolescents, older adolescents, and young adults. Science careers were perceived as unlikely to afford family goals, and this belief emerged more strongly with age cohort. Study 1 also documented that the perception that science affords family goals predicts interest in pursuing science. Study 2 then employed an experimental methodology to investigate the impact of framing a science career as integrated with family life or not. For family-oriented women, the family-friendly framing of science produced greater personal favorability toward pursuing a science career. In addition, perceived fulfilment of the scientist described predicted personal favorability toward a science career path. We discuss the implications of these findings for research and for policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Erica S. Weisgram & Amanda B. Diekman, 2017. "Making STEM “Family Friendly”: The Impact of Perceiving Science Careers as Family-Compatible," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:6:y:2017:i:2:p:61-:d:101162
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Liwen Chen & Bobby W. Chung & Guanghua Wang, 2023. "Stay-at-Home Peer Mothers and Gender Norms: Short-run Effects on Educational Outcomes," Working Papers 2023-03, University of South Florida, Department of Economics.
    2. Dana Hamplová & Alena Bičáková, 2022. "Choosing a Major and a Partner: Field of Study and Union Formation Among College-Educated Women in Europe," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(5), pages 861-883, December.
    3. Liwen Chen & Bobby Chung & Guanghua Wang, 2022. "Stay-at-Home Peer Mothers and Gender Norms: Short-run Effects on Educational Outcomes," Working Papers 2022-039, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender; STEM; goal congruity; family;
    All these keywords.

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