An essay about women in science
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.
Preparation
In most universities there are more male students than female students on science courses. What is the reason for this? What could be done to balance out the numbers?
In higher education, science subjects are typically dominated by male students. This negatively impacts the world of work, as fewer females then go into the science, technology and engineering sectors. This essay will explore the reasons for the lack of gender diversity in science and suggest ways to create equal opportunities in this area.
The most likely reason for the imbalance is that society reinforces the idea that boys and girls have different interests and abilities. We see this from a very early age when little boys are given cars and Lego while girls get dolls. The former are encouraged to build things whereas the latter learn to care for others. Later on, we are told that girls are better at languages or boys have better spatial awareness. In fact, there is no evidence that biological differences between the sexes make one gender more talented than another at a particular subject. It is society, not nature, that tells us girls should favour arts and humanities and leave maths and physics to the boys.
Coupled with this is the lack of positive female role models youngsters see doing science-related jobs. Cartoons and stories often show the crazy scientist, genius inventor, or adventurous astronaut as a man. Furthermore, there is an unfortunate perception that scientists are geeky, have poor social skills or that their work is lonely and detached from the rest of the world. These are false stereotypes portrayed by the media, but they may mean that girls do not identify with scientists, and see science as an unappealing career path. If girls saw more positive female role models in science it would give them more confidence and a greater sense of belonging in those subjects.
Given these points, it is important to tackle this issue right from a child's early education. By the time young women are at university, it may already be too late to disprove the view that science is 'not for them'. Hence, for very young children gender-neutral play needs to be encouraged. As children get older, both the education system and the media must raise awareness of female achievements in the field of science, as well as exposing them to a more diverse set of characters in books and films. We need to find ways to show young girls that science is fun, interesting, and, most importantly, theirs too.
Tips
- Read the question carefully. If the question asks you to discuss the reasons for a problem and suggest solutions, make sure you do both.
- In your introduction, restate the question in your own words and say what your essay will do. This essay will outline the reasons for … and offer solutions to the problem.
- Plan the paragraphs of your essay before you write. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that summarises the main idea of the paragraph.
- Develop your position fully by extending your ideas and using examples to support your arguments. Use linking expressions like Coupled with, Furthermore, In fact and Given these points to show what is coming next.
- Try to use a wide range of vocabulary. Use natural-sounding collocations like equal opportunities and role model. Avoid repetition by using synonyms or words with similar meanings: girls, young women, females; children, youngsters. You can also use the former and the latter to refer to things you have just mentioned.
- Build the conclusion from the ideas in the essay rather than introducing new ones.
In my country, women tend to be more represented in fields such as education and nursing. On the other hand, men tend to predominate in careers such as engineering. However, these differences are gradually changing as more women are choosing careers traditionally associated with men.
In Pakistan, there is a definite conformity for women to work in either doctorship or education. The former works because of the added title and financial value, and the latter for the working hours. Even if those hours often get extended far after school ends. Meanwhile, men are pushed towards engineering and technological based studies. Both genders are tasked with a specific route, and unfortunately due to the patriarchal society that we live in, it is always an outrage when they do try to come out of it.
n Peru, there are still some noticeable differences in the subjects students tend to choose. Generally speaking, there are more female students in areas such as Education, Psychology, Nursing, and other health-related subjects. On the other hand, subjects such as Engineering, Computer Science, Construction, and some technical fields tend to attract more male students.
For example, I think it is quite common to see more women studying Education or Nursing, while men are more represented in engineering and technology-related careers. However, these patterns are gradually changing, and I think young people today have more freedom to choose a career based on their interests rather than on traditional gender expectations.
Personally, I believe that students should be encouraged to choose any subject they are passionate about, regardless of whether it has traditionally been associated with men or women. According to Peru’s INEI, Education has been one of the most common university fields among women, while engineering is also an important field, showing that these traditional patterns are not completely fixed.
I think what really matters is having equal opportunities and encouraging both boys and girls to explore different academic and professional areas.
In Peru, there are some noticeable differences between the subjects that attract more female students and those that attract more male students. For example, careers related to education, psychology, nursing, and social sciences usually have a higher number of female students. On the other hand, engineering, computer science, and technical fields tend to have more male students. Medicine is more balanced, but still shows a slight majority of women in recent years. In my opinion, these trends reflect traditional choices, but they are slowly changing as more women enter technical areas and more men choose careers in education and health.
It is quite clear that technological advancements are not just a possibility, but a reality that will continue to change the workplace as we know it. I believe that many industries will eventually entrust their operations to tools like RPA to handle mundane tasks, which should, in theory, increase productivity. However, this shift in focus means that the skills we need are bound to change. Moving away from basic data entry, the worker of the future will be expected to have transferable problem-solving and critical thinking skills to tackle difficult situations independently. To be successful, the ability to adapt and be agile will be essential in a world that is likely to become increasingly complex. At the end of the day, by equipping the future generation with such business skills, we can ensure they become better leaders when automation fully takes over.
In Mexico, the division between subjects is still very noticeable. If you look at classrooms for Engineering or Technology, they are mostly filled with men, which I think comes from that old idea that they are naturally better at logic or manual work. On the other hand, in fields like Nutrition or Education, it's the opposite; you see mostly women there. It’s a bit frustrating because it shows that even now, professional choices are often tied to what society expects from us based on our gender. I believe that everyone should have the same freedom to choose their path without these traditional labels getting in the way, as talent has nothing to do with being a man or a woman.
Engineering is the most common field of study for men, at least in my country. Engineering is more prevalent among men, while medicine, dentistry, and nursing are more commonly studied by women.
This is more of a societal influence than a determining factor; it is often instilled by parents in their children. In Mexico, many people are encouraged to study subjects related to their gender, although this was more common in earlier times. However, it still happens. For example, most girls are not given tools, grinders, or anything they could hurt themselves with, and this is also considered a societal stereotype.
Currently, women are very dominant in science and mechanics. Although few women graduate with engineering degrees, they are the ones who stand out the most, even surpassing men by bringing new ideas and demonstrating strong leadership and innovative concepts for developing mechanisms, ideas, and businesses. They also excel in medicine, where I have observed excellent female doctors dedicated to specific treatments, having obtained prestigious degrees and specializations that are not easily attained. Gradually, we have observed how gender stereotypes are diminishing as people strive for excellence every day, regardless of gender. Social progress has a beneficial effect on the development of new technologies and the gradual improvement of science.
In conclusion, things are gradually changing for the benefit of society, removing more and more stereotypes each day thanks to new generations who are allowing us to leave the past behind and continue evolving as a society, improving little by little regardless of gender. Every day, more women are entering the world of science.
In my country, certain subjects tend to attract more female students, while others are still dominated by males. Areas such as health sciences, education, and psychology are usually chosen by girls and young women, as these fields are often associated with care-oriented and communication-based skills. Coupled with strong academic performance in these areas, many female learners continue to outnumber males in classrooms related to teaching and nursing. Furthermore, the growing visibility of successful women in these professions has encouraged more youngsters to follow similar paths, showing how an inspiring role model can influence educational choices.
On the other hand, subjects like engineering, computer science, and some technical trades continue to enroll more male students. In fact, social expectations and long-standing stereotypes still push many boys toward science, technology, and mathematics from an early age. Given these points, promoting equal opportunities in education is essential so that all children can freely choose their interests without feeling limited by gender norms. Encouraging diverse role models across all fields can help create a more balanced and inclusive academic environment.
One main reason for this problem is social pressure. From a young age, many girls are told that science and math are "for boys." These old-fashioned ideas can make girls feel less confident, even if they are very good at these subjects. Furthermore, there is a lack of role models. If a young woman does not see many female scientists on TV or in her textbooks, she might feel like she does not belong in a lab.
Coupled with these stereotypes, the environment in some science departments can feel unwelcoming. If a girl is the only female in a large physics class, she might feel lonely or unsupported. This makes it much harder for her to stay motivated compared to her male peers.
To fix this, we need to provide equal opportunities starting in primary school. We should encourage girls to experiment and lead science projects early on. In fact, universities should send successful female scientists into schools to give talks. When girls see a woman succeeding in science, they are more likely to believe they can do it too.
Schools should also make sure they hire more female professors. Having more women in charge creates a friendlier and more balanced environment for everyone.
To sum up, the reason there are fewer women in science is mostly due to social pressure and a lack of support. However, by providing more mentors, financial help, and understanding that we are all equals and deserve the same opportunities without being questioned we can change this.
In Mexico, where I'm from, I've noticed, and it's also well known, that the most sought-after careers for women are in the medical field, such as medicine, nursing, and, most frequently, dentistry. International business and business administration are also popular choices.
In the case of men, I think there's more variety, such as different engineering fields, architecture, and finance.