Percursos singulares: trajetórias ocupacionais de mulheres nas áreas de Ciências, Tecnologia, Engenharia e Matemática (STEM) no Brasil

Abstract

This study analyzes gender inequality and female work in Brazil from the perspective of the top of the occupational structure: fields traditionally associated with the production of technical-scientific knowledge and technological innovation, namely Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). These fields are marked by social prestige, high qualifications, and elevated salaries, yet women remain persistently underrepresented. The general objective is to understand the production and reproduction of gender inequalities in the Brazilian labor market, as revealed through the occupational trajectories of women in STEM. The specific objectives are: (i) define and classify STEM occupations; (ii) analyze gender inequality through trajectories patterns; (iii) to characterize who manages to remain in STEM fields and investigate explanatory factors; (iv) to understand the specificities of STEM by contrasting it with other fields; and (v) discuss the inequalities within women's work. Methodologically, the study analyzes occupational trajectories using individualized longitudinal administrative data from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor and Employment. A sequence analysis approach is utilized to examine the occupational trajectories of individuals over time, providing insights into the persistence and transitions in STEM. The study reveals four key findings: (1) Men show greater persistence in STEM compared to women. (2) Women in STEM are more likely than men to transition to other fields. (3) gendered trajectories are not fully explained by individual, company, or job variables, suggesting other influences, such as social norms, discrimination, or work environment. (4) Low retention of women in STEM is likely a contributing factor to the persistent gender wage gap.