This chapter analyzes the impact that social and cultural factors may have on the student's choice of college major and in particular on gender differences. The difference in choice between men and women does not seem driven by academic skill differentials that exist and are usually in favor or women. Nonacademic skill differentials and psychological attitudes towards competition and towards others may explain part of the choice. The impact of high school peers is found to be more relevant for women while the choice of a better partner (from the economic point of view) does not seem to drive the choice of college major as people seem to marry within major rather than across them.
More unexplored dimensions of gender gap and college choice: attitudes, choice of partner, and peer/teacher effects in school
Anelli, Massimo;Peri, Giovanni
2015
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the impact that social and cultural factors may have on the student's choice of college major and in particular on gender differences. The difference in choice between men and women does not seem driven by academic skill differentials that exist and are usually in favor or women. Nonacademic skill differentials and psychological attitudes towards competition and towards others may explain part of the choice. The impact of high school peers is found to be more relevant for women while the choice of a better partner (from the economic point of view) does not seem to drive the choice of college major as people seem to marry within major rather than across them.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.