Male perspective in relation to the gender gap in STEM careers

Abstract

In recent years we have enthusiastically seen how the number of efforts to reduce the gender gap has increased. Although there is extensive research confirming the success of initiatives such as mentoring for women in STEM areas, a high percentage of those who take part in leading and managing this type of initiative are women (students, teachers, managers), and only 20% of the participants are male students and teacher, according to records of participation of these initiatives in a private university in Mexico. An anonymous electronic survey applied to male professors and students from the university willing to share with us their opinions. According to the evaluation instrument, the results were divided into the impact that taking part or not in an initiative has had to reduce the gender gap or not with respect to its gender equity perspective. Although positive results of the impact of participating in an initiative that seeks to achieve gender equity in the STEM areas in the School of Engineering and Sciences of Tecnologico de Monterrey are shown in the analyzed sample, there is also information on a small percentage that argues that they are not interested. to participate in this type of initiatives and whose perspective is that currently men and women have the same opportunities. In the same way, a point of attention is that one of the reasons for those who have not participated in any gender equality initiative in STEM areas is because the programs they have known only involve women. The purpose of this research is to measure the impact of gender equity initiatives on the perspective that men have on the issue comparing opinions of those who have had the opportunity to take part with those who have not taken part in any of them.