DefinePK

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the interplay of careerist femininity, job-oriented, and family orientation for female acceptability in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in higher education in Pakistan. The participation of females in STEM higher education has increased gradually in recent decades as compared to the past in the globe generally and in Pakistan particularly. A quantitative study has been conducted using a cross-sectional survey as a technique of data collection. A sample size of 417 female students has been sampled from the sciences discipline through the proportionate random sampling technique, and 409 female students have participated in the study. A structured questionnaire has been used as a level of measurement, and pre-testing has been done on 25 randomly selected female students to check the reliability, i.e., .724 and above, as mentioned in Table 1. An attitudinal scale has been developed to measure the response of female students. This study has been based on the primary data collected from the female students enrolled in the Faculty of Science at a public sector university. The study findings concluded that careerist femininity, job orientation, and family-oriented femininity have a positive effect on the female acceptability in STEM fields. The variable gender expression and feminine identity affect the female acceptability of STEM. Further, peer-based acceptability has a favorable effect on female acceptability in STEM fields.
Keyword: STEM Education, Feminization, Careerist Femininity, Job Oriented, Family Orientation