Rivas 1
Annotated bibliography
Kahn, Shulamit, and Donna Ginther. “Women and STEM.” No. w23525. National Bureau of
Economic Research, 2017.
“Women and STEM” pays particular attention to the underrepresentation of
women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as areas of study.
The academic journal article inquiries into the environmental factors that have an
influence on the decision of a woman to keep away from STEM oriented careers.
Additionally, the authors examine methodically and in detail the way in which gender
stereotypes along with rivalry and distinct interests play a significant role in the gender
difference in STEM.
The article proves useful in perceiving the way in which Latinas lose confidence
and enthusiasm in pursuing STEM oriented careers in view of the fact that
they are women, resulting in fear of not being socially compatible with other members in
STEM. Shulamit Kahn and Donna Ginther give an emphasis to the role as well as
behavior learned as appropriate to the female gender, determined by the prevailing
cultural norms, which among other aspects consists of striving for careers such as
teaching and social work, that are commonly associated with women.
The authors make several arguments which account for the discrepancy in
opportunities as well as status and attitudes between men and women within STEM areas
of study. The majority of the explanations pay particular attention to environmental
factors, namely patriarchal culture as well as the gender stereotypes embedded within.
Moreover, after reading “Women and STEM” the reader can either accept and admit the
Rivas 2
existence of major obstacles for women in STEM or deny the existence of such. Needless
to say, the authors hope for the reader to acknowledge them.
Valenzuela, Angela. "Ω" International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education 33.8 (2020):
898-904.
Angela Valenzuela thinks deeply and carefully about the major obstacles that
Latinas encounter in STEM. Valenzuela focuses on the way in which men feel and
express doubt about the capability of Latinas to perform tasks in relation to STEM areas
of study. Furthermore, the academic journal article addresses the concept of
intersectionality to make the audience aware of how the interconnected nature of social
categorizations, namely gender and race, create an overlapping and interdependent
system of discrimination as well as disadvantage for Latinas in STEM.
The article proves useful in giving an explanation as to the reason for which
Latinas are faced with a greater number of obstacles compared to white women in STEM.
Angela Valenzuela provides the reader with an accurate and deep understanding of
intersectionality, which serves as the basic cause of the problem. In addition, the
academic journal article describes the experiences of several Latinas involved in STEM
in which dislike, hostility, and unjust behavior deriving from unfounded opinions are
perceived, mainly from men.
The author clearly wishes to demonstrate the way that Latinas are oftentimes
treated badly, cruelly, and unfairly within STEM areas of study because of prejudice.
Additionally, she urges academic institutions to be more inclusive and affirming towards
Latinas in STEM oriented careers as a large number of statements showed that
Rivas 3
institutions have a tendency to disregard intentionally whenever individuals called into
question their abilities for the sole purpose of being women as well as Latin. The
academic journal article bears witness to the mistreatment of Latinas in STEM and also
calls for a change.
Pietri, Evava S., et al. "Who encourages Latina women to feel a sense of identity-safety in STEM
environments?" Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 84 (2019): 103827.
The article directs attention to the fact that Latinas are among the least
represented groups in STEM and for that reason have an ongoing worry about not
belonging as well as not feeling welcomed in such environment. Moreover, the author
Evava Pietri provides the audience with a scientific procedure which ultimately proves
that Latinas are in need of role models, namely Latinas previously involved in STEM, in
order for their interest to grow in such areas of study, plus feeling a sense of belonging
within such environment.
“Who encourages Latina women to feel a sense of identity-safety in STEM
environments?" proves useful in providing a possible solution for the underrepresentation
of Latinas in STEM which is supported by scientific evidence. The academic journal
article supplies the reader with a case study which hypothesis stated that scientists with
shared identities may address the issue of underrepresentation and encourage Latinas to
pursue a STEM oriented career. Eventually, the hypothesis was proven to be true,
therefore providing academic institutions with a minor solution to the problem.
The author intends to determine a possible cause as well as a possible solution for
the 2% of Latinas in STEM, which is accomplished throughout the writing piece.
Rivas 4
Furthermore, she convinces the reader to advocate for Latinas in STEM areas of study by
providing evidence of the major obstacles they face when entering such environment.
Prejudice, particularly coming from your peers, is difficult to cope with which results in
Latinas being discouraged from pursuing a STEM oriented career.
To conclude, the three academic journal articles have provided me with valuable
arguments on the subject of Latinas in STEM. From thoroughly reading the writing pieces, one
can become aware of the way in which Latinas are deemed as incompetent not solely for being
women, but also for being Latin. Society raises objections when Latinas express interest in
STEM areas of study due to the stigmas embedded in the patriarchal culture. Such problem
cannot be solved in a small amount of time, nevertheless small changes such as providing girls
and women with role models who they can relate to, can have a large impact on their decision to
become involved in a STEM oriented career.