Mathematically gifted adolescent females’ mixed sentiment toward gender stereotypes

Abstract

There has been a paucity of research on gifted individuals’ perceptions of gender stereotypes. The purpose of this study was to explore mathematically gifted adolescent females’ perceptions of gender stereotypes through a research design of the qualitative multiple case study involving the constant comparison and the Three C’s analysis scheme. Nine female junior high school students living in an urban area of Taiwan were recruited. Five major themes emerged after data analysis: uncomfortable feelings about gender inequality, denial of the importance of beauty, high career aspirations, agreement on the stereotypes of negative female dispositions, and identification with masculine qualities and interests. These themes reflected their mixed sentiment toward gender stereotypes. The social identity approach, social status theory, and optimal distinctiveness theory were employed to explain these young women’s perception of gender stereotypes. Implications for interventions to address inner conflict and for future research were also discussed.