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Understanding the Changing Dynamics of the Gender Gap in Undergraduate Engineering Majors: 1971–2011

Author

Listed:
  • Linda J. Sax

    (UCLA)

  • M. Allison Kanny

    (UCLA)

  • Jerry A. Jacobs

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Hannah Whang

    (UCLA)

  • Dayna S. Weintraub

    (UCLA)

  • Amber Hroch

    (UCLA)

Abstract

In this paper we examine the level and determinants of entering college students’ plans to major in engineering. While the overall level of interest in engineering has fluctuated between 1971 and 2011, a very large gender gap in freshman interest remains. We find that the percent of first-year women who plan to major in engineering is roughly the same today as in the early 1980s. We estimated the impact of predictor variables for five time points: 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2011. Independent variables were grouped into eight categories: personal inputs, background characteristics, learning experiences, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, interests, contextual influences, and choice goals. We present the findings in terms of those variables that have a consistent effect on the gender gap over time, and those whose effects vary over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda J. Sax & M. Allison Kanny & Jerry A. Jacobs & Hannah Whang & Dayna S. Weintraub & Amber Hroch, 2016. "Understanding the Changing Dynamics of the Gender Gap in Undergraduate Engineering Majors: 1971–2011," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 57(5), pages 570-600, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:57:y:2016:i:5:d:10.1007_s11162-015-9396-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-015-9396-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oaxaca, Ronald, 1973. "Male-Female Wage Differentials in Urban Labor Markets," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 14(3), pages 693-709, October.
    2. Alan S. Blinder, 1973. "Wage Discrimination: Reduced Form and Structural Estimates," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 8(4), pages 436-455.
    3. Oaxaca, Ronald L. & Ransom, Michael R., 1994. "On discrimination and the decomposition of wage differentials," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 5-21, March.
    4. Muriel Niederle & Lise Vesterlund, 2010. "Explaining the Gender Gap in Math Test Scores: The Role of Competition," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(2), pages 129-144, Spring.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shi, Ying, 2018. "The puzzle of missing female engineers: Academic preparation, ability beliefs, and preferences," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 129-143.
    2. Tao, Hung-Lin & Cheng, Hui-Pei, 2022. "Parental and sibling influence on study field choice: Gender-stereotypical or field preference transmission," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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