It’s a man’s world. Though this statement seems to be quite outdated, it continues holding true in certain aspects of life. The career choices and development of men and women are one such aspect. Just think about a female mathematician. Is the image sexy or unappealing?
Studies have always showed interest in the manner that romantic interests and professional goals have co-existed side by side in a woman’s priorities list. A new study is providing some curious information about the desire for love and the pursuit of scientific careers by women.
The study was performed by the National Science Foundation and was described in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin Article. Associate professor of psychology Lora E. Park is the lead researcher.
Study findings show that women, who have a romantic goal or who are exposed to romantic influences, are less willing to pursue a career in a scientific, technological or mathematical sector. All of these professions and sciences are considered as mainly masculine fields for development.
The findings are very easy to explain. Though society is becoming increasingly liberal and tolerant, men and women are still expected to behave in specific, gender-related manners. The pursuing of a career is an important part of this gender-defining process.
Ladies are still expected to seek professional growth in more artistic and liberal disciplines, disciplines that are ‘sexier’ and more romantically desirable than math and science. Languages and artistic sectors are still seen as predominantly female, while the sciences are considered masculine disciplines.
On the other hand, men who are involved in liberal disciplines are not experiencing the same discrimination and romantic failure consequences that women professionally dealing with sciences face.
Women, who prioritize love and marriage, are much less willing to get involved in sciences and mathematical disciplines. Many ladies who demonstrate knowledge and skill in these spheres may suffer from personal life problems. It turns out that society is still functioning in stereotypical ways, expecting men and women to behave in specific manners.
Education is very much to blame for this phenomenon and disparity. Girls are thought from a very early age about the importance of finding love and getting married. The number of parents who emphasize on professional growth and intelligence stimulation is much smaller.
The quest for love is thus responsible for many personal sacrifices in the scientific sector. Many women, who are intellectually capable of pursuing a scientific or an academic career, refrain from doing so for the sake of their love lives.
What happens is that society still discriminates against brilliant female scientists, who hold little interest in romantic activities. These women are more focused on getting their career growing than on discovering their significant other. And though society claims to have gone a long way, some things will never change.
Should women sacrifice their career goals for the sake of romance? Are we still wired to act in specific ways, thus limiting our own opportunities for professional development? Do you think that the findings of the study are something to worry about or yet another survey that has little to say and contribute?