Using the EBSCO article you reviewed about women and STEM majors and your 21C experiences, assess the possible causes for women to drop STEM majors with the same grades as men who persisted.(1 point)

Responses

It was found that the men cheated.

Women ​did not have the correct required courses going in.

It​ i​​s possible men had study groups and mentor support the women ​did not have.

Women were too competitive.

Based on the information provided in the EBSCO article, along with my 21C experiences, the possible causes for women to drop STEM majors with the same grades as men who persisted can be assessed as follows:

1. Lack of required courses: It is possible that women did not have the correct required courses going into their STEM majors. This could hinder their progress and make it more difficult for them to keep up with the coursework.

2. Lack of study groups and mentor support: It is possible that men had access to study groups and mentor support that women did not have. Having a support network can play a crucial role in academic success, and the lack of such support for women may have contributed to their decision to drop STEM majors.

3. Cheating: The information provided does not indicate that men cheated. It is unfair to assume that cheating was a factor without any evidence supporting such a claim.

4. Competitiveness: The statement that women were too competitive is a subjective assumption and does not provide any concrete evidence to support its validity. It is important to avoid generalizations and stereotypes when discussing gender differences in academic pursuits.

In conclusion, the possible causes for women dropping STEM majors with the same grades as men who persisted may include a lack of required courses, limited access to study groups and mentor support, and potential social or cultural barriers. Cheating and competitiveness, as mentioned in the responses, do not have sufficient evidence to support their influence in this scenario.