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Citizenship, math and gender: Exploring immigrant students' choice of majors

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  • Murat, Marina

Abstract

This paper investigates whether citizenship of immigrant students in the host country influences their choice of majors, and whether these effects differ by gender. Using detailed students' data from an Italian university, combined with characteristics of the countries of origin, I examine the effects of citizenship on enrolments in educational areas categorized by their mathematical content. Results indicate a decrease in the likelihood of enrolment in math-intensive fields among students who acquire citizenship, particularly among males, leading to a reduction in gender gaps. Moreover, gender gaps are smaller and show a more pronounced decrease with citizenship as gender inequality in countries increases. Results are corroborated by matching and instrumental variables strategies. These findings shed light on the existence of trade-offs between empowerment, as manifested through citizenship, and major choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Murat, Marina, 2024. "Citizenship, math and gender: Exploring immigrant students' choice of majors," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1370, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1370
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    File URL: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/281114/1/GLO-DP-1370.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lippmann, Quentin & Senik, Claudia, 2018. "Math, girls and socialism," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 874-888.
    2. Roland G. Fryer & Steven D. Levitt, 2010. "An Empirical Analysis of the Gender Gap in Mathematics," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 2(2), pages 210-240, April.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Citizenship; immigrants; higher education; math; gender gaps; gender inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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