Work

High-Performing Peers and Female STEM Choices in School

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine how social environment affects women’s STEM choices as early as high school. Using administrative data from China, we find that exposure to high-performing female peers in mathematics increases the likelihood that women choose a science track during high school, while exposure to more high-performing males decrease this likelihood. We also find that peer quality has persistent effects on college outcomes. Overall, there is little evidence of peer effects for boys. Our results suggest that girls doing well in mathematics provide an affirmation effect that encourages female classmates to pursue a STEM track.

Source: Journal of Labor Economics

DOI: 10.1086/706052

Authors: Pierre Mouganie, Yaojing Wang

Institutions: American University of Beirut, Peking University

Language: English

Topic: Career Development and Diversity

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2762764207