FACTORS INFLUENCING LOW FEMALE STUDENTS IN ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS, A CASE STUDY OF OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION        

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY     

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

1.7     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS     

CHAPTER TWO

2.0     LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0     DATA ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0     SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

REFRENCE

APPENDIX

CHAPTER ONE

1.0            INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY

Gender role stereotype is one of the variety of forces that influences career patterns. According to gender-stereotype studies, the beliefs that people hold about the differences between men and women can be summed up in two dimensions which define positive personal attributes. They are the communal and argentic dimensions (Cubillo, L. (2009).The communal dimension describes a concern for the wellbeing of others and is believed by some to be manifested more strongly in women than men. The argentic dimension depicts an assertive and controlling tendency and is believed by some to be manifested more strongly in men than women. This explains that girls are expected to take those careers which are directly related to nurturing while boys on the other hand are expected to take the more serious ones for example the science based careers (Coleman, 2005).

Career choice, for many individuals in our society, is a sociological issue. Individuals tend to imitate what they see and find pleasing; at an early age we grasp objects that our parents, teachers, or other important individuals place within our reach; we find pleasure in playing the games that we see our family and friends playing (Flabbi2011). Many young people choose careers by that for which they believe they or their parents can afford to finance training.

Some choose careers based primarily on how much time they want to have for family and leisure activities, especially young women .For women who are currently in careers which relate to science or technology, the path to success is filled with many obstacles. Despite the affirmative action efforts for more than fifteen years, women are still grossly under-represented in the physical sciences, equivalent positions in academia (Miranda 2011).

According to Keino (1985), differentiation in course choice based on gender is not biological, but is rooted in sex stereotyping the world over.

Firstly female trainees may be presumed unprepared to cope with science and technical subjects or lack confidence in pursuing masculine courses. Secondly, the school structure and attitudes in co-education institutions may not be supportive of females taking high-tech subjects.Thirdly, lack of female teachers to act as role models in the fields of high-tech training such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, building construction, wood and metal technology, motor mechanics and plumbing, may discourage the few who have the interest and aptitude to venture into any of them. Fourthly, due to the fact that there are very few women in technical training institutes, those who wish to venture into the male-dominated courses may become discouraged when they find they are the only one or two female(s) in the course. This study focuses on the factors influencing low female students in engineering departments.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The perception that some careers are gender specific is one othe challenges of having few females studying engineering courses. Currently, the situation has not improved since there are those careers which are perceived to be for a particular gender for example secretarial job and nursing are considered to be for ladies whereas engineering and other technical jobs are done mainly by men. The society has not fully comprehend that what men can do women can also do and vice versa. Parents too have reinforced this as evident from the way they socialize their children. It is believed that engineering courses are meant for boys some parents have been reported that they tell their sons not to marry girls who have done technical courses.

Girls for example are given domestic roles that include fetching water and taking care of younger siblings hence they will not get ample time to study.

Financial instability is also one of the factors responsible for low female students studying engineering courses. Technical courses are fairly expensive when compared with other courses hence girls from humble background are forced to choose other courses which are fairly cheap.

In instances where the family does not have enough money, boys are preferred hence it is believed that boys will stay at home whereas girls will be married. Studies have shown that parental attitude, mentality and support have a great deal of influence on girls‟ participation and level of success attained in Technical education. These problems make it glaring that there is a need to carry out the investigation on the factors influencing low female students in engineering departments.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY     

The general objective of this study is to examine the factors influencing low female students in engineering departments, a case study of Olabisi Onabanjo University. The specific objectives are:

1.     To find out the influence of parental attitude on low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University

2.     To ascertain if lack of female role models influences low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University.

3.     To find out the influence of financial factors on low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University.

4.     To examine if health conditions influences low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University.

5.     To investigate the relationship between cultural factors and low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The relevant research questions related to this study are:

1.     What is the influence of parental attitude on low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University?

2.     Does lack of female role models influences low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University?

3.     What is the influence of financial factors on low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University?

4.     Does health conditions influences low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University?

5.     What is the relationship between cultural factors and low female students in engineering departments in Olabisi Onabanjo University?

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 

The study is an important area because it will help the students and their parents in identifying various problems that affect their mentality in choosing the best career paths. Once they are identified they will come up with lasting solutions thus all students irrespective of gender will be able to do technical courses and end up getting technical jobs in the job market.

The ministry of Education, parents, students and the society at large will be able to get insights on the challenges facing students when it comes to choosing careers. This insight will enable the ministry of Education to come up with various provisions which will help in alleviating the problems encountered by students when choosing careers.

This study will enhance the existing body of literature by contemplating the areas of the literature that have not yet been examined or considered and incorporating these factors into the current study. The study will thus form the basis for further studies in the field.

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is restricted to the faculty of engineering in Olabisi Onabanjo University. A study on the factors influencing low female students in engineering departments.

1.7     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Some of the major constraints the researchers encountered in putting up this research include lack of time, lack of willingness to give information by respondent and also limited resources

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS     

Career: describes an individuals' journey through learning, work and other aspects of life

Career path: to the growth of the employee in an organization. It refers to the various positions an employee moves to as he grows in an organization.

Gender: is the range of physical, biological, mental and behavioral characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity.