Sex Segregation of High School STEM Extracurricular Activities: Longitudinal Effects on Efficacy, Identity, and Postsecondary Majors

• In Event: Gender and Racial Inequality in STEM

Abstract

Women continue to be underrepresented in STEM majors and occupations, but STEM-related extracurricular participation may play in important role in closing this gap. In this paper, we explore how sex segregation influences girls’ extracurricular participation, how extracurricular participation may impact STEM outcomes (efficacy, identity, and major selection), and how the sex segregation of extracurricular participation may contribute to the reification of sex segregation of college majors. Data are drawn from three waves of the 2009 High School Longitudinal Study. Results indicate that sex segregation in extracurricular activities may discourage girls’ joining of STEM-related extracurricular benefits, even though participation in these activities is associated with increased STEM efficacy, identity, and greater likelihood of STEM major declaration.

Authors

• Kristen Erichsen, Florida State University

• Lara Perez-Felkner, Florida State University

• Teng Zhao, Hangzhou Dianzi University

• Shouping Hu, Florida State University