Gender and/or Religiosity? – Intersectional approach to the challenges of religious women in STEM fields

Abstract

This paper aims to extend the discussion on intersectionality by focusing on the intersection between gender and religiosity while addressing the main challenges which face young religious Jewish women in Israel who have chosen the STEM path. The paper is based on a qualitative narrative analysis of in-depth interviews with 45 participants (female Jewish religious students, their mothers, and secondary school science teachers). The findings revealed six structural challenges faced by young religious women in the STEM path: 1) difficulties in managing a healthy balance between family and career; 2) alienation; 3) disapprobative environmental reaction in the religious community; 4) lack of female religious role models; 5) Jewish religious traditions as a limiting factor when competing with secular counterparts; and 6) the paradox of the supportive environment in all-female religious secondary schools. According to the women’s narratives, the religiosity component in some challenges is more salient and pronounced than gender.