Under the influence of our older brother and sister: The association between sibling gender configuration and STEM degrees

Shahbazian, Roujman (2021): Under the influence of our older brother and sister: The association between sibling gender configuration and STEM degrees. In: Social Science Research, Vol. 97, 102558

Abstract

This study examines the association between sibling gender configuration and second-born siblings' choice of so-called STEM educational fields (i.e., science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in Swedish two-child families. Using population data from administrative registers in Sweden, the findings show that younger siblings, net of parental characteristics, are more likely to choose a STEM field if their older sibling has attended or is already attending a STEM program. Moreover, a gender difference is clear concerning the choice of a STEM field among younger siblings: Girls are more likely to choose a STEM field if they have an older sister who has attended a STEM program, than if they have an older brother in a similar program. However, the corresponding results are not found for boys. Given that STEM fields are markedly male-dominated at tertiary level, this indicates an importance of a same-sex role model for young girls contemplating gender-atypical educational choices.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Social Sciences > Department of Sociology
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology
• ISSN: 0049-089X
• Language: English