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In developing countries where women (and men frankly) study STEM in higher numbers it's likely that those women come from elite families (considering the vast m

In developing countries where women (and men frankly) study STEM in higher numbers it's likely that those women come from elite families (considering the vast majority of population in these countries do not have a chance to pursue higher ed). As a result we're looking at a an elite microcosm that is, by virtue of its own access to education and enthusiasm for remaining (recognizing fierce competition) in the elite tier of an otherwise incredibly gendered society.

rayiner 9y ago
Yes, obviously, Bangladesh as a whole is a much more gendered society than the U.S. But it's still an interesting microcosm to look at because it's one where both boys and girls are intensely encouraged to pursue STEM. And in India, we see much higher rates of women participating in STEM (despite India being a much more gendered society overall): http://www.hcixb.org/papers_2017/hcixb17-final-37.pdf http://www.hcixb.org/papers_2017/hcixb17-final-37.pdf (45% women with CS degrees, versus 21% in the U.S.). And even though these folks are elite relative to their own societies, in absolute terms, even a rich Bangladeshi has a similar level of material wealth as a middle class or upper middle class American. It's a microcosm that's still in a mode of striving to protect and enhance their material prosperity, and may be less able to indulge in the "benign" sexism of having lower expectations for girls. (Specifically, having lower expectations for them to go into fields like STEM necessary for both their own economic prosperity and the nation's) than for boys.