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Belonging and Masculinities: Proposal of a Conceptual Framework to Study the Reasons behind the Gender Gap in Engineering

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  • Andrea Vera-Gajardo

    (Instituto de Matemáticas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso 2360102, Chile)

Abstract

The low participation of women in STEM fields is well-known and has been well documented around the world. Closing this gap plays a central role in achieving a more equal society and thus sustainable development. The gender gap in STEM must be understood as a complex problem which can be explained through various factors (cultural, economic, and social) and therefore requires the efforts of different disciplines and actors. This article proposes that the hegemonic masculinity theory together with the concept of belonging, understood from the point of view of feminist studies and cultural studies, can contribute a necessary conceptual framework for understanding the causes behind the gender gap in engineering.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Vera-Gajardo, 2021. "Belonging and Masculinities: Proposal of a Conceptual Framework to Study the Reasons behind the Gender Gap in Engineering," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11157-:d:652442
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria do Mar Pereira, 2021. "Researching gender inequalities in academic labor during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Avoiding common problems and asking different questions," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S2), pages 498-509, July.
    2. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultura UNESCO, 2017. "Cracking the Code: Girls’ and Women’s Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)," Working Papers id:12246, eSocialSciences.
    3. Xaro Benavent & Esther de Ves & Anabel Forte & Carmen Botella-Mascarell & Emilia López-Iñesta & Silvia Rueda & Sandra Roger & Joaquin Perez & Cristina Portalés & Esther Dura & Daniel Garcia-Costa & Pa, 2020. "Girls4STEM: Gender Diversity in STEM for a Sustainable Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Wendy Faulkner, 2011. "Gender (In) Authenticity, Belonging and Identity Work in Engineering," Brussels Economic Review, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles, vol. 54(2-3), pages 277-293.
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