As a person of the female sex, I am often told by my peers what is considered appropriate for me to do with my life.
It often surprises people when I tell them I am studying to be a biochemist. In a field dominated by men, it’s difficult to find someone who would not judge your career choice by your biological sex.
Certainly, I have yet to encounter that one person who would not think my major is ridiculous or too big a challenge for a woman.
Although I do as well as my male peers academically, in their minds, I am a weakling. And because most of my courses are about 90 percent male, I have learned to ignore the sexist commentaries and attitudes I experience because of my gender.
However, if something positive must come from something negative, I would say the constant criticism has only encouraged me to prove my academic abilities are not dictated by my sex.
I believe women are intimidated by careers in fields such as physics, chemistry and mathematics, among others.
Because these subjects are mostly taught and studied by men, these fields offer very little, if any, opportunities for women to succeed.
Due to criticism and discrimination against females, women have become hesitant to attempt careers in fields largely populated by men.
Furthermore, during a brief comparison of UF’s science department faculty, I found in the more quantitative sciences, which require analytical assessments and calculations, the ratio of men to women tends to be greater.
However, in the more organic and natural sciences, women are in either equal or greater numbers than men.
This is part of the proper social conduct and standards we have been told to follow by our families and peers.
Unfortunately, in the Western culture we live in, a person’s sex will dictate the type of toys he or she plays with as a child, his or her wardrobe, acceptable favorite color, behavior, manners and career path.
Hence, if a person such as me breaks these set social boundaries, he or she will be discriminated against, criticized and ridiculed.
As social individuals, we are exposed every day to people and things that will shape our future decisions — factors that are affecting women’s career choices.
So, how can this social dictation of women’s lives be changed? First, gender inequality issues must be made pertinent to the general public in order to encourage individuals to change the social expectations for women.
For instance, at UF, the Women’s Student Association attempts to empower women and make their social issues relevant.
Also, women must be taught not to be afraid of participating in hypermasculine environments, as well as learning to understand that gender identity should not dictate their social and academic interests.
These steps are a few of the many actions we must place in effect as a society to modify gender roles.
The lack of general education about gender inequality is one of the most important contributing factors of ignorance toward women’s roles in society.
Understanding how to subtly approach individuals and our Western culture with solutions for this issue can be challenging.
However, this is an essential action that will progressively change the presumptions of sex roles, allowing women to make decisions about their lives free of judgment and criticism, so they may practice, study and work in their most-desired career field.
Anette Pico is an anthropology and biochemistry major at UF.
