Is gender discrimination still going on?

Is gender discrimination still going on?

Gender gap in STEM education

Gender bias in the math classroom leads to gender gap in the ever-important STEM education we need to nourish.

Girls and Math education has been a topic of discussion for decades since they mostly fall behind the males once they go beyond the fourth grade.



It seems girls are better at the mechanics of math and then they fall behind once the math gets theoretical or abstract like word problems and followed algebra. By the time Juniors and Seniors get to trigonometry the ratio of girls to boys has dwindled.

Studies have shown that teachers may unintentionally reinforce gender stereotypes such as the belief that boys are naturally better at math than girls. These biases can have negative consequences for girls as they may lead to lower self-confidence, reduced motivation, and less interest in pursuing math-related careers.

While progress has been made in recent years to address gender discrimination in the math classroom, it is still a significant issue in many places around the world. Studies have shown that girls are often socialized to believe that they are not as good at math as boys, which can lead to self-doubt and lower performance in math classes.

One recent study conducted in the United States found that teachers were more likely to give boys more opportunities to answer complex math questions and provided more detailed feedback on their work than girls. Furthermore, girls were more likely to receive lower grades in math even though their performance on standardized tests was equivalent to or better than that of boys.

Raising awareness about gender discrimination in the math classroom is a step towards creating a more inclusive learning environment in which girls can achieve their full potential in math and other STEM subjects.

Research has consistently shown that there is no significant difference in mathematical ability between genders. It seems social and cultural factors can affect how girls perceive their own abilities which limit their access to opportunities in math-related fields.

Studies have shown that "Girls tend to perform better in math when they have female role models, teachers, and peers who support their interests. Providing girls with opportunities to engage with math can help increase their confidence in their abilities."

Yes, math confidence is really a "thing" especially, among girls.

Encouraging girls to pursue a STEM education and careers can help them achieve economic independence and make a positive impact on their communities and the world. Increasing the number of girls pursuing STEM education and careers will build a more diverse and innovative workforce necessary for the challenges facing our society.

A must-see movie about three incredible women with incredible mathematical understanding working for NASA is "Hidden Figures".

Opinions and Analysis by: Illana Herzig Weintraub

Publisher: MathMedia Educational Software, Inc.

www.mathmedia.com

support@mathmedia.com

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