Gender Differences in Persistence in a Field of Study: This Isn’t All about Grades

Michael Kaganovich (), Morgan Taylor and Ruli Xiao

Journal of Human Capital, 2023, vol. 17, issue 4, 503 - 556

Abstract: Weaker retention of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is well documented, particularly in response to low grades. We explore mechanisms underlying gender gaps in persistence across the spectrum of fields using an Indiana University dataset. We decompose these gaps into components attributable to student taste for field and the importance attached to grades there. We find that women’s weaker preference for field is predominantly responsible for their weaker persistence. STEM-starting women are less averse to low grades than are men but have weaker taste for STEM, resulting in lower retention. Relaxation of grading standards in STEM will have little effect on women’s inferior retention.

Date: 2023
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Working Paper: Gender Differences in Persistence in a Field of Study: This Isn?t All about Grades (2022)
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