Turning Points in Women's Interest in Economics: Evidence from Surveys of High School and College Students

Abstract

We survey more than 3,000 high school and college students across the U.S. to investigate the perceptions of the economics major by gender. Women report a significantly lower interest in economics relative to men, but this lower interest only becomes pronounced at the college level. We investigate potential mechanisms for the timing in this reduction in women’s interest, including if and when they take their first economics course and how long they’ve been in college.

Kristy Buzard

Associate Professor of Economics

My current research focuses on the formation and maintenance of international trade agreements, conflict resolution, and innovation. I am particularly interested in the impact of international institutions, government structure and domestic political pressure on the possibilities for cooperation.