The STEM Pipeline: Do Media and Objectified Body Consciousness Create an Early Exit for Middle School Girls?
| Title: | The STEM Pipeline: Do Media and Objectified Body Consciousness Create an Early Exit for Middle School Girls? |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Daniels, Elizabeth A. (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Early Adolescence. Aug 2021 41(7):1099-1124. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 26 |
| Publication Date: | 2021 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Junior High Schools Middle Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | STEM Education, Gender Bias, Disproportionate Representation, Mass Media Effects, Human Body, Social Influences, Social Bias, Student Attitudes, Middle School Students, Females, Correlation, Social Media, Sex Stereotypes, Aesthetics, Value Judgment, Expectation, Grades (Scholastic), Mathematics Achievement, Science Achievement |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0272431620983442 |
| ISSN: | 0272-4316 |
| Abstract: | Girls and women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Research has investigated various explanatory factors (e.g., lack of role models, sexism) in these patterns. However, to date, the roles of media use and body concerns have not been examined. This study investigated associations among appearance-focused social media behaviors (e.g., posting photos), objectified body consciousness (i.e., body shame, body surveillance), and attitudes toward math and science (i.e., self-expectancy, task value, cost, future plans) in a sample of U.S. middle school girls (N = 243). Results demonstrated that body shame partially mediated associations between appearance-focused social media behaviors and math and science attitudes. These findings suggest that media use and body concerns have implications for girls' involvement in STEM fields. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2021 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1300331 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| ISSN: | 0272-4316 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1177/0272431620983442 |
| Published in: | Journal of Early Adolescence |
| Language: | English |