Women In Higher Education Research Articles

Evaluating student evaluations: evidence of gender bias against women in higher education based on perceived learning and instructor personality

Given student evaluations are an integral part of academic employment and progression in higher education, it is crucial to explore various biases amongst students that may influence their ratings. Several studies report a clear gender bias in student evaluation where male instructors receive significantly higher ratings as compared to female instructors. However, there is very limited research about gender biases in underrepresented samples such as South Asia and the Middle East. We examined whether perception of male and female instructors differed in terms of how they facilitate learning and level of engagement, using an experimental design. Six hundred and seventy-one university students were asked to watch a video of an online lecture on psychology, delivered by either a male or female lecturer, after which they were asked to evaluate their experience and instructor personality characteristics. To ensure consistency across content, tone, delivery, environment, and overall appearance, photorealistic 3D avatars were used to deliver the lectures. Only gender as a factor was manipulated. Given the racial representation in the region, a total of four videos were developed representing males (n = 317) and females (n = 354) of White and South Asian race. Overall, male instructors scored significantly higher in variables representing personality characteristics such as enthusiasm and expressiveness compared to female instructors. Participants did not however view male and female instructors to be different in terms of presentation and subject knowledge. Findings related to facilitating learning suggest that male instructors were perceived to have made instructions more interesting, kept participants' attention for longer, and were more interesting compared to female instructors. In terms of engagement, male instructors were perceived to be more expressive, enthusiastic, and entertaining, compared to female instructors. Given the experimental design, these findings can clearly be attributed to gender bias, which is also in line with previous research. With an underrepresented sample, an online platform delivery, and inclusion of multiple races, these findings significantly add value to the current literature regarding gender stereotypes in higher education. The results are even more concerning as they provide strong evidence of gender bias which may contribute to subconscious discrimination against women academics in the region.

Transitions to Second Birth and Birth Intervals in France and Spain: Time Squeeze or Social Norms?

As first births are increasingly postponed across Europe, a strong two-child family norm persists. Past research has examined educational differentials in progressions to second birth, testing various hypotheses but overlooking normative aspects. Comparing fertility surveys from France and Spain, we explore whether late first-time mothers, who have fewer reproductive biological years left to conceive, accelerate the transition to a subsequent child (time squeeze effect). We also consider a normative dimension, i.e., whether women have their first child earlier or later than others in their educational and cohort groups. In both countries, among first-time mothers between 25 and 34 years of age, highly-educated women transitioned to second birth more frequently than less-educated women did. Within the same age group, highly-educated women in Spain had a second child more quickly after the firstborn than their less educated counterparts did, while there is no such difference in France. These results hold after controlling for cohort effects, but are only partly explained by a time squeeze effect. Different normative ages at first birth by education and birth cohort explain the educational gap in the likelihood of transitioning to second birth, but not the birth intervals in Spain. In sum, our analysis demonstrates a persistent educational gap in second births in this country that cannot be reduced to biological or normative effects. This suggests that a broad range of economic constraints play a role, such as unfavourable individual economic conditions and lower levels of institutional support for parenthood.

Association between Dietary Nutrient Intake and Depressive Symptoms among Japanese Postpartum Women: An Observational Cross-sectional Study

Background: Low dietary nutrient intake may be associated with depressive symptoms. However, few such studies have been conducted among postpartum women and results have been controversial. Purpose: To investigate the association between dietary nutrient intake and depressive symptoms among Japanese one-month postpartum women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university hospital in Tokyo from June 2015 to September 2016. We recruited healthy women with healthy babies at their postpartum check-up. Dietary nutrient intake was assessed using a validated, brief-type, self-administered diet history questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were defined as a score of ? 9 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify if dietary nutrient intake was associated with depressive symptoms. Variables with P-values < 0.10 in the bivariate analysis and factors identified as important, based on the literature review, were included. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Data from 246 participants were analyzed. Depressive symptom prevalence was 19.5%. Participants with an educational level above university level comprised 69.1%, and 68.3% of participants had a household income of ? 7 million Japanese yen. In the multivariate analysis, dietary nutrient intake was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. However, higher educational level and need for emotional support as assessed by midwives or nurses were significantly associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Dietary nutrient intake was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms in this high socioeconomic status population. Further research is needed to identify the relationship between dietary intake and depressive symptoms among more socioeconomically diverse postpartum women. Additionally, it may be important for postpartum depression support systems to pay attention to highly-educated women and to undertake continued follow-up for women who are assessed by midwives or nurses as needing emotional support either during pregnancy or while in the hospital.

Millennium Development Goals and the Gender Gap: Women in Higher Education in Mexico

Los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio (ODM) y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) han contribuido a trazar los ejes concretos para revertir la brecha de género con el fin de promover el acceso de las mujeres a la Educación Superior (ES) en México. Se cuestiona si los diferentes gobiernos del país están creando políticas públicas para revertir esta asimetría. El objetivo es indagar si los ODM y los ODS han promovido la igualdad de género y el empoderamiento de las mujeres mediante el desarrollo de planes sectoriales de acceso a la ES por el gobierno federal en los últimos 40 años. El trabajo se ajustó al paradigma cualitativo-descriptivo, para realizar una revisión sistematizada para la recolección de datos y, en un segundo momento, proceder a un análisis hermenéutico del contenido de los textos y estadísticas para describir el fenómeno. Los resultados señalan que antes del año 2000 no existieron políticas sectoriales que promovieran a las mujeres en su intento de ingresar a la ES; después de esa fecha, hay propuestas para desarrollar políticas sectoriales en la agenda política nacional, pero sin acciones enfocadas a las mujeres. Lo hallado supone que la feminización y el rápido crecimiento de la matrícula femenina en la ES responde a coyunturas histórico-sociales de movimientos políticos de inclusión y paridad de género en la ES.

Perceived Achievement of Social Entrepreneurship Competency: The Influence of Age, Discipline, and Gender among Women in Higher Education

The complexity of today’s world demands a shift in education from knowledge acquisition to competency development for students to effectively address profession-related challenges. In particular, there is a need for social entrepreneurs who can act as catalysts for change in complex environments. Understanding the elements that shape students’ perception of themselves as social entrepreneurs allows us to grasp their capacity as catalysts for transformative action. The main purpose of this research is to showcase the findings of a diagnostic investigation carried out on a group of Mexican university students, assessing their perceived proficiency in social entrepreneurship and its sub-competencies. The study examined whether age or discipline influenced the perception of entrepreneurship in 328 students. The results revealed that age and study discipline played a crucial role in shaping students’ perception of their competency achievement. Younger students tended to perceive their abilities better, while advanced semester students were more cautious in assessing their entrepreneurial competencies. The trend also extended to sub-competencies, with younger students tending to perceive their social skills positively, while older students focused more on practical knowledge such as the economic and administrative aspects of entrepreneurship. Students in business also tended to view their skills more positively compared to students in other disciplines. The findings highlight the need to promote women’s social entrepreneurship and emphasize the importance of considering these relevant elements that are crucial to the concrete reality of potential female entrepreneurs. The study has significant implications for policymakers, educators, and researchers interested in promoting social entrepreneurship among women, particularly in the Latin American context.

O-176 Knowledge and belief about fertility preservation for medical and social reasons among Iranian female students

Abstract Study question What is the knowledge and beliefs of the female students in Tehran universities regarding the oocyte cryopreservation for medical and social reasons? Summary answer This study highlighted the positive attitude but insufficient knowledge about medical and social egg freezing and the ideal timing of childbearing in female students. What is known already Emerging research indicates that physiologic or pathologic ovarian aging limits the female reproductive capacity and oocyte cryopreservation (OC) is a rapidly evolving branch of reproductive medicine. Given the growing numbers of young women surviving cancer, along with increasing numbers of high educated women postponing childbearing for educational or professional pursuits, there will be a growing demand for egg freezing services to guarantee the pregnancy in near future. Egg freezing can prevent age-related infertility, but it also can cause new potentially ethical and financial problems and the neonatal and maternal risks of childbearing at an advanced maternal age. Study design, size, duration Totally, 1279 students from Tehran universities were included in this cross-sectional survey between March and August 2022. Participants/materials, setting, methods The survey was distributed through an online forum and advertised on social media groups targeting students in Tehran universities. Childless students in master's and doctoral degrees with the age of ≤ 38 years were included. Bachelor’s students were not included. Knowledge and beliefs about medical and non-medical oocyte cryopreservation were assessed through Fertility Preservation Survey (FPS) instrument. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (One-way ANOVA) were used. Main results and the role of chance The majority of participants were 30-34 years (41.1%, M: 26.38± 4.9), not married (77.2%), master’s student (77.7%), and hoped to have 2 children in the future (40.5%). Most of participants expected to be “30-34 years” when they become pregnant with their first child (34.4%) and “35-39 years” when they give birth to their last child (39.1%). The students agreed with preserving fertility with medical (93.3%) and social (86.9%) indications and believed medical (95.1%) and social (87.4%) costs of cryopreservation should be covered by health system. Participants believed in the routine providing of information about egg freezing to women of childbearing age as part of regular healthcare visits by health care professionals (95.5%). Women stated if they decide not to use eggs to become pregnant, they would consider donating them for fertility research (67.1%), to a friend or family member with fertility problems (58.1 %) and to infertile couples (42.7%). The overall correct response to knowledge questions was 57.7% which is relatively moderate. The marital status (P = 0.028), university faculty (P = 0.025) and occupation (P = 0.048) were related to knowledge. Married (M: 7.40±1.98) and unemployed students (M: 7.24±2.24) had more knowledge and students of Art faculty had lower knowledge than other faculties (M: 6.36±2.22). Limitations, reasons for caution The results would not be generalizable to all female students because the research project’s advertisement may have been ignored by students who are not interested in childbearing or it might have been noticed by students who are more interested in childbearing and preserving their fertility. Wider implications of the findings The findings are valuable in planning fertility preservation services. The supportive policies for childbearing could be expanded to cover the costs of fertility preservation. Midwives could play an important role in increasing the knowledge about age-related infertility and oocyte cryopreservation and help students in their reproductive life planning. Trial registration number not applicable

Women's utilisation of quality antenatal care, intrapartum care and postnatal care services in Ethiopia: a population-based study using the demographic and health survey data

ObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the level and determinants of receiving quality antenatal care (ANC), intrapartum care, and postnatal care (PNC) services by women in Ethiopia. The quality of care a woman receives during ANC, intrapartum care, and PNC services affects the health of the woman and her child and her likelihood of seeking care in the future.MethodsData from the nationally representative Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 were analysed for 5,527 mothers who gave birth within five years preceding the survey. We defined quality ANC as having: blood pressure measurement, urine and blood tests, informed of danger signs, iron supplementation, and nutritional counselling during ANC services; quality intrapartum care as having: a health facility birth, skilled birth assistance, and a newborn put to the breast within one hour of birth during intrapartum care services; and quality PNC as having: PNC within two days; cord examination; temperature measurement, and counselling on danger signs and breastfeeding of the newborn; and healthcare provider's observation of breastfeeding during PNC services. We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analyses specifying three-level models: a woman/household, a cluster, and an administrative region to determine predictors of each care quality. The analyses employed sampling weights and were adjusted for sampling design.ResultsThirty-six percent (n = 1,048), 43% (n = 1,485), and 21% (n = 374) women received quality ANC, intrapartum care and PNC services, respectively. Private healthcare facilities provided higher-quality ANC and PNC but poor-quality intrapartum care, compared to public health facilities. Having four or more ANC visits, commencing ANC during the first trimester, and higher women's education levels and household wealth indices were positive predictors of quality ANC use. Government health posts were less likely to provide quality ANC. Wealthier, urban-residing women with education and four or more ANC contacts were more likely to receive quality intrapartum care. Women who received quality ANC and skilled birth assistance were more likely to receive quality PNC. Teenage mothers were more likely to receive quality intrapartum care, but were less likely to receive quality PNC than mothers aged 20–49.ConclusionsWe recommend standardizing the contents of ANC provided in all healthcare facilities; and promoting early and four or more ANC contacts, effectiveness, sensitivity and vigilance of care provided to teenage mothers, and women's education and economic empowerment.

The state of Black women in higher education: A critical perspective 20 years later

AbstractThe editors describe the purpose of and continuing need for this 20th anniversary edition, explicate their positionality as Black women who study Black women's experiences in higher education and student affairs, and introduce the contents of the 2023 monograph.

Black Women in higher education reclaiming our time

AbstractAs editor of the 2003 New Directions for Student Services monograph that centered the experiences of Black women in US higher education, my present observation is this: although strides have been made, Black women continue to face stalling, stone walling, and diversion tactics that impede our inclusion in the academy. In this issue, we are “reclaiming our time” to refocus attention on issues that illuminate our current positioning in higher education, as well as strategies with potential to enhance our success and well‐being in the next 20 years.

The effect of formal education on ovarian cancer, clinical trial access, and clinical trial awareness among Black and Latino US women.

e18667 Background: Ovarian Cancer (OC) is ranked as one of the deadliest women’s cancers in the US. Due to non-specific symptoms, it is often misdiagnosed and detected late. The mortality rate is higher and increasing among Black women. In addition, Black women have poor participation in clinical trials. We conducted a survey study among Black and Latino US women to understand the factors influencing their understanding of genetic risks of OC, clinical trial awareness and ability to access a clinical trial. Methods: MiOra health educators administered an electronic survey to 226 women in their communities in Houston, TX, Atlanta, GA, and Los Angeles, CA. The data was analyzed using two-sided Fisher’s Exact Test. Results: Out of the 226 respondents 63.4% were 30 years of age or younger and 22.9% had high school education or less (low education). Out of 109 respondents, 93 (85.3%) self-identified as Black or Latino. Age did not influence self-reported awareness of genetic risk for OC, clinical trials or how to locate a clinical trial (Table 1). Low education women were significantly less likely to report being knowledgeable about genetic risk factors of OC, clinical trials or locating clinical trials. Thirty out of 48, 62.5% responding low education women and 118 out of 173, 68.2% high education women reported to have an annual provider visit (p > 0.05). The self-reported awareness on how to locate a trial was low in both the low (3 out of 48, 6.2%) and high education groups (34 out of 171, 19.9%, p < 0.05). Only 8 out of 44 (18.1%) respondents who knew someone with OC knew how to locate clinical trials. Conclusions: These results suggest that the level of education influences Black and Latino women’s awareness of OC genetic risk factors, clinical trials and clinical trial access. However, even among college educated Black and Latino women, only a small portion reported to know how to locate a clinical trial. Both high and low education Black and Latino women reported to comply with annual provider visits. These visits may be an opportunity to close the health-literacy disparities in OC and clinical trials for Black and Latino women. [Table: see text]

체육계 고학력 경력단절 여성의 역할전환에 따른 적응과정 탐색

Objectives The purpose of this study is to understand the structural and psychosocial situation of the women, and provide the fundamental resources to build educational, sociocultural, systematic environment to help the smooth adaptation and self-development, improvement process of the women. Methods This study selected 6 participants based on the theoretical sampling method and conducted in-depth interview. As for the analysis, the study adopted 2-step analysis proposed by Strauss and Corbin(1998), and conducted open coding, axial coding and also conducted member check and peer debriefing in entire process of analysis and interpretation to secure the veracity of the data. Results For As the result, total 117 concepts, 25 subcategories and 15 categories were deduced from ‘categorization of adaptation process according to the role changes of highly-educated women in physical education’. The study conducted category analysis in accordance with paradigm on axis coding, ‘structuralization of adaptation process according to the role changes of highly-educated women in physical education’, arranged categories on 6 elements, confirmed the characteristics and dimension of each element, conducted the process analysis to draw up 4 stages. Conclusions In conclusion, it was confirmed that highly-educated women in physical education with career breaks endured difficult times to adapt to given situation and role, and formed stability in life and satisfaction by planning for future and participating in various activities.

Gender Equity in the Distribution of Educational Resources in Higher Education in China

Since the expansion of college enrollment in 1999, the proportion of women in higher education has been increasing, and the gender structure of college students has become more balanced. However, even with the same higher education, male and female students will be treated differently due to gender differences. This article through gender differences in access to higher education, the gender stereotypes in higher education and the gender difference in graduate employment choices in China to figure out to what extent gender equity is in the distribution of educational resources in higher education in China. Female students face more obstacles and challenges than male students when pursuing higher education or looking for a job as a result of the traditional idea and stereotypes of females in society. In addition, the expectations and influences of families on their children, and physiological factors brought on by their gender also cause the situation. The allocation of resources for higher education is still disproportionately devoted to men.

Educating Ida: Gilbert and Sullivan Among the New Women

Gilbert and Sullivan's eighth Savoy opera Princess Ida (1884) is best understood against the backdrop of women's higher education and emancipation in nineteenth-century Britain. Careful work has been done in tracing correspondences between the opera and its source texts, but Ida is not only a descendant of literary figures. She is the peer of the pioneering women of Girton College, Cambridge whose biographies attest to the challenges faced by women in pursuit of an education at the end of the nineteenth century. This association allows Ida and her students to be positioned as precursors of that fin-de-siècle phenomenon, the New Woman. Often dismissed as an uncomfortable relic of Victorian male chauvinism, the political and ideological complexity behind Princess Ida is recognised here as the opera is identified as one moment in continuous literary, cultural and social history.

Job stress amongst female faculty members in higher education: an Indian experience from a feminist perspective

Women academicians in higher education in India have a more rigorous path to follow than their male counterparts in achieving their due professional status. There are several factors that hinder their progress, including patriarchal concepts in certain role expectations from women; stereotyping of women in certain roles; and non-acceptance of women in certain others. The notions about women that have thus got embedded in the higher education sector in India have a negative impact on their career progress. There is also the need to understand the phenomenon of the glass ceiling that women are faced with in their career promotion efforts in higher education and the inequalities they often encounter under male chauvinism. Against this backdrop, the present paper strives to study the factors that contribute to the job stress and dissatisfaction of women in higher education in India, using the constructs of feminism. The paper concludes that understanding these constructs enables the members of the academia to rationally navigate the experiences of women in higher education and to create supportive policies that ensure a sustainable future for academic women with job security, satisfaction, and dignity.

Educational inequalities in hypothermia mortality in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000-15.

Despite an increased focus on cold-related mortality in recent years, there has been comparatively little research specifically on hypothermia mortality and its associated factors. Educational inequalities in hypothermia mortality among individuals aged 30-74 in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and Finland in 2000-15 were examined using data from longitudinal mortality follow-up studies of population censuses (the Baltics) and from a longitudinal register-based population data file (Finland). Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were much higher in the Baltic countries than in Finland across the study period. From 2000-07 to 2008-15, overall ASMRs declined in all countries except among Finnish women. Although a strong educational gradient was observed in hypothermia mortality in all countries in 2000-07, inequalities were larger in the Baltic countries. Between 2000-07 and 2008-15, ASMRs declined in all educational groups except for high-educated women in Finland and low-educated women in Lithuania; the changes however were not always statistically significant. The absolute mortality decline was often larger among the low educated resulting in narrowing absolute inequalities (excepting Lithuania), whereas a larger relative decline among the high educated (excepting Finnish women) resulted in a considerable widening of relative inequalities in hypothermia mortality by 2008-15. Although some reduction was observed in absolute educational inequalities in hypothermia mortality in 2000-15, substantial and widening relative inequalities highlight the need for further action in combatting factors behind deaths from excessive cold in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, including risky alcohol consumption and homelessness.

Visible, invisible: Black women in higher education.

This paper explores race and gender in the context of higher education, analyzing the experiences of Black women in academia to create a better understanding of what it is to be Black and a woman in contemporary British society. The main themes of this paper are elaborated through the lens of critical Black feminism. The historical origins of inequalities are outlined foregrounding their influence on how Black women are described and regarded. The damaging impact of everyday and sophisticated racism intersecting with sexism is explored and exemplified. Concepts and theories serve to elucidate the discrimination suffered by Black women in academic roles. White women do not offer unequivocal support to their Black colleagues and may even undermine their career progression. When Black women gain leadership roles, the traditional characteristics associated with leaders often conflict with the stereotypical expectations of Black women. A closer examination of higher education reveals the extent of the racial trauma endured by Black women and the resultant decline in their wellbeing.

“It’s Just My Face:” Workplace Policing of Black Professional Women in Higher Education

In this qualitative meta-narrative, I explore how Black women administrators in higher education experience and navigate policing in predominantly white work environments. Using intersectionality as a framework and semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection technique, the findings from this study reveal workplace policing manifests for Black women on physical, emotion, and communicative levels. More specifically, participants endured restrictions and navigated dissatisfaction with their tone of voice, criticism of their attire and style of dress, and (mis)perceptions of office fit. Participants also reported engaging in self-policing practices to (over)compensate for and in anticipation of workplace-based policing struggles. I include implications for research and practice.

Menstrual Hygiene Practices and its Predictors Among Young Women in India: Findings from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–2021)

Introduction India is moving towards menstrual hygienic practices. However, using unhygienic menstrual absorbents is still a reproductive health concern among women in India. Objective This study investigates the prevalence of menstrual hygiene practices by geographical location and socio-economic factors among women in India. Materials and Methods National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) (2019–2021) data were utilized to fulfill the study objectives. The study participant included 241,180 young women aged 15–24 years. A bivariate chi-square test was applied to present the percentage distribution of menstrual hygienic practices. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the predictors linked with hygienic practices related to menstruation. Results About 77% of the women used hygienic absorbents to protect menstrual bloodstains in India. The menstrual hygienic practices are significantly lower in the improvised states of central and eastern India. Multivariable analysis reveals that higher educated women (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.18–6.87) residing in the richest quintile households (AOR: 6.17; 95% CI: 4.61–8.26) have a higher probability of hygienic practices related to menstruation. Besides, higher autonomy and mass media exposure are positively associated with hygiene practices. Conclusion The study findings recommend opportunities for reproductive education among women, offering financial incentives, and improving women’s empowerment may increase menstrual hygienic practices. Additionally, interventions should focus on socioeconomically poor women to increase the use of sanitary napkin. Interventions should also focus on marginalized women to increase the use of sanitary napkin.

A Study On Investment Avenues Preferred By Employed Women In Higher Education

A Study On Investment Avenues Preferred By Employed Women In Higher Education

Transition in the ages at key reproductive events and its determinants in India: evidence from NFHS 1992-93 to 2019-21

IntroductionReproductive health events have changed fertility and family planning needs, depicting the changing life patterns of women and the population to which they belong. Understanding the pattern at which these events occur helps in understanding the fertility pattern, family formation and the idea about health essential needs for women. This paper attempts to see the variation in reproductive events (first cohabitation, first sex and first birth) over three decades and also to see potential contributing factors among the reproductive age group of women using secondary data from Data Source: All rounds of the National Family Health Survey (1992-93 to 2019–2021) have been utilized.Methods and ResultsCox Proportional Hazard Model illustrates that all regions have initiated their first birth later than women who belong to the east region similar pattern has been obtained for first cohabitation and first sex except for the central region. Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) depicts the increasing pattern in the predicted mean age at first cohabitation, sex and birth for all demographic characteristics; the highest increment was found in SC women, Uneducated women and Muslim women. Kaplan Meier Curve demonstrates that women with no education, primary or secondary education are shifting towards higher educated women. Most importantly, the results of the multivariate decomposition analysis (MDA) revealed that education played the largest contribution among the compositional factors in the overall increase in mean ages at key reproductive events.ConclusionsThough reproductive health has long been essential in women’s lives, they are still very confined to specific domains. Over time the government has formulated several proper legislative measures relating to various domains of reproductive events. However, given that the large size and heterogeneity in social and cultural norms result in changing ideas and choices regarding the initiation of reproductive events, national policy formulation needs to be improved or amended.