American Society and Physics

By 1890s, girls outnumbered boys in public high school science. However, female enrolment in science declined at the secondary level. Vocational movements started in the late 19^th century. American upper and middle class women chose to study classics like their English sisters. Latin gained popularity. This was to gain entrance to the more socially prestigious collegiate courses in colleges and universities. Women turned to home economics and commercial courses.

Physics for boys

Following the First World War, two things happened. First, there was a decline in the coalition of the nature-study movement. Second, new national associations and organizations in science education were men-dominated to increase male enrollments in science. New leaders started to stress more on physical sciences. Physics was considered the masculine field of endeavor in the 20^th century. Between 1920-1950, women doctorates fell from 18% to 10%. There were restrictions on job opportunities due to depression. There were job discriminations against women in 1940s-1950s. There was a sudden rise of births after the World War II. There was further a decline of organized feminism after the suffrage victory in 1919. As a result, the demand for nature study declined, Initially, nature study had gained impetus from a national concern with conservation. The World War II had influenced the attitude of Americans towards conservation. It brought physics and chemistry to public attention. This is because (physics & engineering were important fields during wartime, poison gas production, and for wireless & communication during wars). After World War II, there was a transition to a business era. This caused a backlash against women in science education. As an aftermath of World War II, reorganization and reforms started.

The 21^st century has witnessed a decline in science enrollments in high schools. By 1960, women composed only 5% of new doctorates in the sciences. It was an era of economic and societal upheaval. Economic downturn prevailed during the great depression. While women’s enrollment was steady in biology, it declined in physics and chemistry. The perception of science greatly changed after World War II. From a desirable option , it was now a potentially unrewarding, highly demanding, even morally corrupting pursuit.

It is evident from the book that women’s interests and achievement in science and math was historically mediated by economic, social, and cultural forces rather than determined by inherent biological traits and abilities. Nothing facilitated women’s entrance to the physical sciences. There were no job opportunities or encouragement provided. Even today, biology, and not physics is the preferred study subject for women. It is imperative to make efforts to change the trend.

The decline of science as a girls' subject in school was partially due to discrimination. However, the decline of women's interest in science also occurred due to purposeful efforts by the society to uplift the status of women’s education in the 19^th century. The author used vignettes, quantitative data, and illustrations abundantly to trace the complex series of events that caused the domination of men in school science by the 20^th century. Overall, it is a clearly and credibly written book, which does a wonderful job of critically evaluating the role of women in sciences in the history of America.

Based on my book review: “The science education of American girls: A historical perspective” written by Tolley (2003).

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