RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Comparative Advantage and Gender Gap in STEM
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 0320-10781R2
DO 10.3368/jhr.0320-10781R2
A1 Goulas, Sofoklis
A1 Griselda, Silvia
A1 Megalokonomou, Rigissa
YR 2022
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2022/06/01/jhr.0320-10781R2.abstract
AB Why are females, compared with males, both more likely to have strong STEM-related performance and less likely to enter a STEM field later on? We exploit random classroom assignment to identify the impact of comparative STEM advantage on specialization decisions. Comparative STEM advantage is proxied by the within-classroom ranking of the ratio of STEM over non-STEM performance. We find that females with a higher comparative STEM advantage are more likely to choose a STEM school track and apply for a STEM degree. Comparative STEM advantage explains 12% of the underrepresentation of qualified females in the earliest instance of STEM specialization.