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Difficulty Orientations, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity: An Intersectional Analysis of Pathways to STEM Degrees

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  • Samantha Nix

    (Academic Center for Excellence, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA)

  • Lara Perez-Felkner

    (Department of Leadership and Policy Studies, College of Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA)

Abstract

Is there a relationship between mathematics ability beliefs and STEM degrees? Fields such as physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer science (PEMC) are thought to require talent or brilliance. However, the potential effects of difficulty perceptions on students’ participation in STEM have yet to be examined using a gender and race/ethnicity intersectional lens. Using nationally representative U.S. longitudinal data, we measure gender and racial/ethnic variation in secondary students’ orientation towards mathematics difficulty. We observed nuanced relationships between mathematics difficulty orientation, gender, race/ethnicity, and PEMC major and degree outcomes. In secondary school, the gap between boys’ and girls’ mathematics difficulty orientations were wider than gaps between White and non-White students. Mathematics difficulty orientation was positively associated with both declaring majors and earning degrees in PEMC. This relationship varied more strongly based on gender than race/ethnicity. Notably, Black women show higher gains in predicted probability to declare a mathematics-intensive major as compared to all other women, given their mathematics difficulty orientations. This study’s findings show that both gender and racial/ethnic identities may influence the relationship between mathematics difficulty orientation and postsecondary STEM outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Samantha Nix & Lara Perez-Felkner, 2019. "Difficulty Orientations, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity: An Intersectional Analysis of Pathways to STEM Degrees," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:8:y:2019:i:2:p:43-:d:202268
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Linda J. Sax & Kathleen J. Lehman & Jerry A. Jacobs & M. Allison Kanny & Gloria Lim & Laura Monje-Paulson & Hilary B. Zimmerman, 2017. "Anatomy of an Enduring Gender Gap: The Evolution of Women’s Participation in Computer Science," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 88(2), pages 258-293, March.
    4. Griffith, Amanda L., 2010. "Persistence of women and minorities in STEM field majors: Is it the school that matters?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6), pages 911-922, December.
    5. Heather Thiry & Sandra L. Laursen & Anne-Barrie Hunter, 2011. "What Experiences Help Students Become Scientists? A Comparative Study of Research and other Sources of Personal and Professional Gains for STEM Undergraduates," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 82(4), pages 357-388, July.
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