Lost Talent (Labor And Social Change) [Hardcover]

Sandra Hanson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Labor And Social Change | Publication Date: June 7, 1996

In this pathbreaking book, Sandra Hanson asks what compels so many talented young women to leave the professions of science and mathematics? When do they leave and why? Why do equally qualified girls and boys have such different experiences with science education? What are the patterns for women who do stay in school and pursue a scientific career? What difference does family background make? Exactly how significant are differences of race and class?In this research project, Hanson examines several unusually large and subtle, nationally representative, longitudinal data sets. The data include information on a multitude of distinctions by race, class background, school experiences, school resources, to name a few. Hanson examines this information with a particular focus on the differences in achievement within and across the disciplines, varying access to physical resources, and differential activities in both math and science for young women in the education process.The challenge faced by the United States in the next two decades is developing a balanced, qualified, and well-trained workforce for jobs in science and other technical fields. For Hanson it includes equity for women and creating conditions such that young girls who start out doing well in science do not end up with little training and knowledge. The recovery of this "lost talent" is the central concern of this book. Sandra L. Hanson is Associate Professor of Sociology at The Catholic University of America, and the author of numerous articles on gender and the workforce.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sandra Hanson demonstrates the progressive loss of women to science--and science to women--through discriminatory actions and policies of key institutions and unequal resources offered to young women and men. Her detailed analyses disclose the complex process by which gender, race and class determine who stays in science--and why." --Mary Frank Fox, School of History, Technology, and Society, Georgia Institute of Technology "Lost Talent compels us to think about the experiences of women in science in an entirely new and comprehensive way--how they differ from men in their activities, achievement, access, and attitudes about science. Particularly refreshing is Hanson's recognition that women scientists are not a monolithic group. I found her broadened focus on women of various race and ethnic groups more inclusive and informative that previous books on women in science." --Shirley Vining Brown, Senior Research Scientist, Special Populations Group, Educational Testing Service "Lost Talent is a pathbreaking work. It is concerned with the relatively low long term rate of female involvement and achievement in science. Much of the effort to understand the origins of these phenomena has focused on single factors, usually examined at a moment in time, and frequently based on unrepresentative samples and inconsistent measures. Sandra Hanson seeks to remedy many of these deficiencies in this book. Her dynamic, multidimensional approach deepens our insights into the complex patterns and produces new evidence about the trajectories of these women among the various states of science involvement within the education system and their major determinants. It will be required reading for all who seek to better our understanding of this important issue." --Alan Fechter,, President, Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology

From the Publisher

Tackling the important questions about women's experiences in science and mathematics that previous research has left unanswered

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (June 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566394465
• ISBN-13: 978-1566394468
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,613,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lost Talent, April 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lost Talent (Labor And Social Change) (Hardcover)

_Lost Talent_, by Sandra Hanson, is a thorough and convincing study of women's educational experiences. She uses several large and well-respected data sets to examine why women are a minority in sciences. From this data, she constructs a thorough and convincing picture of student's educational opportunities. She considers several resources to which students have access, including individual resources (personality characteristics, family and work orientation), family resources (family socialization and resource allocation), school resources (the "hidden curriculum", course taking, and peer influence). Through her data, Hanson concludes that women choose to pursue science less often than men because of differential access to the above resources. In fact, women that do have equal access to resources are actually more likely to pursue a science career. This book is well organized and easy to read and understand. The tables and graphs are informative and clear. In my opinion, this book is a valuable addition to existing literature and is a must for people interested in gender, science, education, or work.