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Asia-Pacific Forum
on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 14, Issue 1, Article1 (Jun., 2013) |
How interests in science and technology have taken women to an engineering career
Birgitta MC EWEN
Faculty of Health, Science, and Technology
Karlstad University
SE-651 88 Karlstad, SWEDENE-mail: birgitta.mcewen@kau.se
Received 31 Aug., 2012
Revised 16 Jan., 2013
Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Purpose of the study
- Interests for science and technology
- Out-of-school and home activities in science and technology
- Self-efficacy and self-esteem
- Gender and technology
- Method
- Results
- Professions of the fathers and mothers
- Support from family and relatives
- Boys as playmates
- Support from school
- Interests in mathematics and logical thinking
- Interests in physics, chemistry and biology
- Interest in technology
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
This study connects to gender issues within the field of science and technology. Women who had started strongly male-dominated engineering educations at Karlstad University were interviewed to find out why they had chosen these programs. A very clear picture emerged about the professions of the women's fathers. Almost all fathers were engineers or employed in positions that required skills in technology. The women described their fathers as the most important person who had introduced them into the traditionally masculine technology world during childhood. Also other male relatives had influenced the women often in the same way as fathers had done. Mothers had encouraged their daughters for further studies, but not necessarily in the field of science and technology. Mathematics had often been the gateway to studies in science and technology. Thus, these women started early on a trajectory into a technical career. It is discussed if only girls with this strong masculine models and influences can enjoy settings with male norms or if these norms ought to be changed. Results from this study show that it is important to early influence young girls to opportunities that will stimulate their interests in science and technology.
Keywords: Interests in childhood, science, technology, engineering careers, women
