Women and Mathematics

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that gaps do exist between genders in the field of mathematics with females falling into the lower edge of the learning curve; however, the assumption that men are better equipped to solve mathematics equations points to a lack of equitable treatment for females and an unbalanced educational environment in public education. The paper points out that girls and boys with the same math SAT scores do not do equally well in college: Girls actually perform better on average. The paper stresses that, in the middle school, girls generally take more high-ability math courses and make better grades than boys; however, they hold less positive attitudes toward the subject because of their relatively high levels of performance anxiety, little confidence in their personal abilities and a tendency to attribute their success to luck rather than their own efforts and abilities.

From the Paper:

"Moreover, the number of women Ph.Ds in mathematics has increased considerably over the years, according to a study conducted by Marie A. Vitulli and Mary E. Flahive. Data collected from the 1991-95 AMS-IMS-MAA Annual Surveys on initial employment of Ph.Ds in mathematics were obtained from questionnaires distributed to math departments with follow-ups to the degree recipients. In this study the researchers focused entirely on new Ph.Ds from Group I-III departments, that is, from departments of mathematics. The high response rate to the questionnaires (95%) from Group I-III departments allowed researchers to regard it as a census. The primary result of the analysis reported that women seem to be getting their share of first jobs, no more and no less."

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