Gender Stereotypes in Science Education Resources: A Visual Content Analysis

Anne H. Kerkhoven · Pedro Russo · Anne M. Land‐Zandstra · Aayush Saxena · Frans J. Rodenburg

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Science Education and Perceptions Career Development and Diversity Media, Gender, and Advertising

Abstract

More men are studying and working in science fields than women. This could be an effect of the prevalence of gender stereotypes (e.g., science is for men, not for women). Aside from the media and people's social lives, such stereotypes can also occur in education. Ways in which stereotypes are visible in education include the use of gender-biased visuals, language, teaching methods, and teachers' attitudes. The goal of this study was to determine whether science education resources for primary school contained gender-biased visuals. Specifically, the total number of men and women depicted, and the profession and activity of each person in the visuals were noted. The analysis showed that there were more men than women depicted with a science profession and that more women than men were depicted as teachers. This study shows that there is a stereotypical representation of men and women in online science education resources, highlighting the changes needed to create a balanced representation of men and women. Even if the stereotypical representation of men and women in science is a true reflection of the gender distribution in science, we should aim for a more balanced representation. Such a balance is an essential first step towards showing children that both men and women can do science, which will contribute to more gender-balanced science and technology fields.

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References

2014Digest of Education Statistics 2007Answering the Call for a Standard Reliability Measure for Coding Data 1999Stereotype Threat and Women's Math Performance 2002Content Analysis in Mass Communication: Assessment and Reporting of Intercoder Reliability 2014How stereotypes impair women’s careers in science 2000Gender differences in students' experiences, interests, and attitudes toward science and scientists 2001Stereotype Susceptibility in Children: Effects of Identity Activation on Quantitative Performance 2003The Development and Consequences of Stereotype Consciousness in Middle Childhood

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