Gender Role Models in Education

Sofoklis Goulas, Bhagya N. Gunawardena (), Rigissa Megalokonomou () and Yves Zenou ()
Additional contact information
Bhagya N. Gunawardena: RMIT University
Rigissa Megalokonomou: Monash University
Yves Zenou: Monash University

No 17271, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Using Greek administrative data, we examine the impact of being randomly assigned to a classroom with a same-gender top-performing student on both short- and long-term educational outcomes. These top performers are tasked with keeping classroom attendance records, which positions them as role models. Both male and female students are influenced by the performance of a same-gender top performer and experience both spillover and conformist effects. However, only female students show significant positive effects from the presence of a same-gender role model. Specifically, female students improved their science test scores by 4 percent of a standard deviation, were 2.5 percentage points more likely to choose a STEM track, and were more likely to apply for and enroll in a STEM university degree 3 years later. These effects were most pronounced in lower-income neighborhoods. Our findings suggest that same-gender peer role models could reduce the underrepresentation of qualified females in STEM fields by approximately 3 percent. We further validate our findings through a lab-in-the-field experiment, in which students rated the perceived influence of randomized hypothetical top-performer profiles. The results suggest that the influence of same-gender top performers is primarily driven by exposure-related factors (increased perception of distinction feasibility and self-confidence) rather than direct interactions.

Keywords: role models; random peer group formation; natural experiment; lab-in-the-field experiment; gender gap; self-confidence; STEM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I24 I26 J16 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35 pages
Date: 2024-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp, nep-ipr and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Gender Role Models in Education (2024)
Working Paper: Gender Role Models in Education (2024)
Working Paper: Gender Role Models in Education (2024)
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