Riassunto analitico
This study analyzes the influence of gender, immigration, and socio-cultural background on students' academic choices, with a focus on Physics, Engineering, Economics (PEE) fields. Using a multinomial logistic regression model on a dataset sourced by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, the research examines how family background, immigration and gender affect academic choices.
The results show that the degree of integration is crucial: natives and old immigrant students have similar choices, while new immigrants and international students choose fields more correlated with higher future earnings. Gender emerges as a determinant: women are less likely to choose courses in PEE fields and more inclined toward Humanities, Life and Social Sciences. The educational background and the socioeconomic level influence choices, but with different effects among groups. In addition, women with more gender-unequal backgrounds are more likely to enroll in PEE fields, confirming the “gender equality paradox” in educational preferences.
These findings suggest that the gender gap and inequalities in the university field of study choices result from cultural and individual characteristics. Targeted interventions, such as the promotion of female role models, more inclusive teaching strategies, and increased institutional support, are needed to reduce these disparities.
|
