Macho or Nerd: Perceptions of Masculinity, Social Environment, and Science Capital Utilization Among Adolescent STEM Students

Abstract The current study aims to explore how varying perceptions of masculinity influence adolescent boys' attitudes toward STEM and their future engagement with STEM-related careers, with a particular focus on the differences between boys from the social center and those from the periphery in Israel. Analyzing 27 in-depth interviews with participants from the social periphery and the social center, we uncovered a pronounced difference: boys from the social periphery, who were facing economic challenges, often adhered to traditional masculinity perceptions, potentially curtailing their STEM engagement. This pattern aligns with Connell’s (1995) theory of hegemonic masculinity. In contrast, boys from the social center, who were typically more affluent, demonstrated fluid masculinity perceptions, which may encourage their participation in STEM. This difference highlights the significant role of masculinity perceptions in shaping and developing "science capital"— the cultural and social assets that individuals hold, which enable them to engage with and participate in scientific fields. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the socio-geographical environment to understand the acquisition and utilization of science capital. We discuss our contribution to a more nuanced theory and call for interventions that should be implemented differently among boys from the social periphery and center, to achieve equality in the accessibility and future use of science capital.