A STUDY OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN GENDER STEREOTYPING AND SELF-PERSONAL IDENTITY; ITS IMPACT ON MEXICAN WOMEN CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND MEDIATION STRATEGIES TO RESOLVE GENDER INEQUALITY

Abstract

Gender inequality and stereotypes are constantly manifested in all areas of political, economic and scientific life in Mexico, impacting significantly on women’s career development, their career choices and their under-representation in STEM fields, along with one of the most lamentable consequences of sexism which translates into a concerning rise of femicides and domestic violence against Mexican women, which aggravated during the confinement, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out while this study was being carried out. The research used a cross-sectional analysis by gathering primary data using a quantitative method (survey research) to explore and examine the opinions, attitudes and experience of Mexican individuals in order to identify and explain the reasons behind the gender gap in STEM careers and leadership positions in Mexico. Social constructionism and expectations based on gender, which often have a conflictive relation with people’s own abilities beliefs and auto identification with gender roles, demonstrated to be the dimensions with a major impact on Mexican women’s career choices and their professional advancement. This study validated the hypothesis that the gender gap in STEM fields and leadership positions in Mexico is mainly caused by gender stereotyping and social expectations, which are based on an individual’s perceived sex. This research concludes with recommendations on the implementation of mediation strategies for conflict resolution in Educational Institutions and in the workplace in order to generate gender equality awareness, which will help to prevent and resolve conflict related to gender issues and which will ultimately reflect on a fairer society.