Makeup vs. Math

GENDER

Are women who wear lipstick less skilled in math than women who
don't? Sadly, those pursuing a career in math believe so, new research
shows.

According to a study presented at the American Psychological
Society conference, women in male-dominated fields are so intimidated by
their work environment that they tend to play down certain typically
female traits. Study author Emily Pronin, a Stanford University Ph.D.
candidate in psychology, asked women to assess their level of
identification with stereotypically female characteristics. She found
that while women don't completely distance themselves from their gender
group, they do avoid traits that they believe make them appear less
serious about math (most notably, wearing makeup, gossiping and
flirting).

The findings cast a shadow over the education trade, where already
only 7% of women pursue careers in quantitative fields, compared to 45%
of men. "This is not an environment in which a woman can be herself,"
Pronin says. She notes that while some female-associated behaviors may
seem trivial, the women also suppressed more important traits, such as
the desire to have children.

To deal with this bifurcation, Pronin suggests promoting more
female role models for women studying math by recruiting and encouraging
more women to become educators. Ultimately, she says, this might "create
an environment where women feel their gender is not seen as a
handicap."

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