L80% of Italians who choose to study mathematics, physics or engineering do so with determination, despite beyond half (55%) acknowledge that they are embarking on academic and work paths that are still considered “masculine”. This is what emerges from the eBay search on the relationship between girls and STEMdeveloped by the Human Highway research institute with particular reference to the choice of studies and professional career.
Girls and Stem are only 7.6% of the total but very determined
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics conquer more and more girls. More than in the past, at least. Given that only 7.6% of those interviewed still choose them (3.4% for engineering alone), with a peak among 25-44 year olds (10.3%).
The humanities, together with economics and law, remain the preferred studies. After all, they are still the ones considered most obvious and natural for a woman. Those who make Stem choices do so with particular determination: 80% of the interviewees declare that they have decided on their own academic path e 54% knew what they wanted to study since elementary school.
In particular, the 18-24 year olds demonstrate that they have less uncertainty in choosing study paths generally considered more suitable for males (36% compared to 13% of 45-54 year olds).
Wage inequality and fewer career opportunities are not holding back STEM girls
A choice which, in 76.7%, is clearly determined by the awareness of the future they want. The strong orientation towards work seems to pay off: 77.2% of women who have studied STEM subjects feel satisfied with their academic and professional career (+16.2% compared to the total sample) and as many as 8 out of 10 (78%) claims to have a paid job, part-time or full-time (+14% compared to the total sample).
And this despite the wage inequality and fewer opportunities to access top positions compared to men. For 46.4% of those interviewed, male colleagues with the same studies have reached more prestigious job positions and for 39.6% they earn more.
Work, the difficulties in a world of men
The reconciliation between private and professional life (42.8%) and stress management (32.2%) are also burning issues for women working in STEM fields. Such as too busy schedules (21.3%) and lack of empathy on a human level (19.3%). Elements that can easily be derived from the male predominance, given that men are culturally more dedicated to work than to the family.
In the workplace, 16.5% detect prejudices against women. 14.1% fear not being taken seriously. 13.9% talk about male chauvinism, 12.9% about mobbing, 12.3% about working environments hostile towards women and 6.5% about sexist comments.
The transition to the world of entrepreneurship remains a choice for a few (9%) and overseen by the older and more graduate generations. Women who have struggled to start their business in Italy (69.3%), who have made it only thanks to a great determination. According to 1 out of 2 female entrepreneurs, being a woman has created prejudices (49.4%). On the other hand, bureaucratic obstacles (92%) and lack of initial economic resources (85.7%) are indicated as the main stumbling blocks for those who, although interested in doing so, have not embarked on an entrepreneurial career.
What makes the difference is adequate digital training. Although today the sector is perceived as predominantly male (39.3%), women have many expectations for the future: 87% of the sample is sure that the girls of the new generations will be equal to men. Even in digital.
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