A Comparative Analysis Between Brazil And Spain about Perceptions On Gender In Stem

The gender disparity in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) hinders the full exercise of social justice and the economic development of a country. Although there has been an increase in women’s participation in these fields, cultural barriers continue to impose unfavorable conditions for their full development. This study aims to analyze the opinions of Brazilian university students regarding gender in STEM areas. Variables such as gender, field of study, and racial groups are examined, and the results are compared with those obtained in previous studies conducted in Spain. This comparison is relevant because, despite Spain’s favorable global parity indices, such indicators do not seem sufficient to reduce the gender gap in STEM fields. Data based on a sample of 1298 Brazilian higher education participants suggest that culture and stereotypes are factors influencing the career choices of boys and girls. In Brazil, men are more likely to express stereotypical opinions than women—a pattern also observed in Spain, although less pronounced. Finally, the inclusion of the variables field of study and race reveals that the issue of gender inequality in these spaces is highly complex, and each parameter analyzed plays a role in maintaining this status quo. For instance, participants from non-STEM fields and non-white individuals exhibited greater vulnerability to the influence of gender norms. Nevertheless, these findings provide valuable insights for the development of initiatives that promote participatory equity in these areas, which, in turn, contribute to building a more just and creative society.