Gender Stereotypes Still Impact Women's Career Choices in Bihar & J'khand: IIT Patna Study

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 8 July 2025

• According to a recent IIT Patna study, women's career decisions are still influenced by traditional gender stereotypes
• The study concentrated on women enrolled in Bihar and Jharkhand's higher education institution
• Results indicate that women's career choices are still constrained by societal norms

A new study conducted by IIT Patna has identified that entrenched gender stereotypes still have an impact on the profession that women pursue in higher learning institutions in Bihar and Jharkhand.

Organized by Sweta Sinha and her colleagues in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, and funded by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the research underlines how social norms still push women into stereotypically "feminine" professions such as teaching and nursing, with men being more encouraged to study technical courses.

Even with comparable performances in academics by gender, girls are discouraged from joining science and technology based on parental attitudes and societal expectations. Stereotypic attitudes were found more frequently with male students, particularly in the place of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, whereas female respondents revealed greater acceptability towards roles in leadership in these fields.

Also, the study refers to the manner in which stereotypes are perpetuated by language, art, and symbols, shaping young minds early and causing internalized self-doubt in women. Drawing conclusions from data across twelve institutions, the research demands systemic action towards eliminating gender prejudice and paving the way for more equal opportunities in education and work, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).