The principle of being free to pursue your preferences is compatible and coexists quite comfortably with a belief in essential gender differences. This essentialist notion, which helps to create what it seeks to explain, affects girls' views of what they're good at and can shape what they like. |
There is no doubt that collective beliefs holding that men are naturally 'better' at math and science are major factors that influence women's choices of college majors -- and determine the climate in math and science programs worldwide. |