An analysis of the gender composition of the consumer economics major over time: a case study of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Cott, Megan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/34200 Copy

Description

Title

An analysis of the gender composition of the consumer economics major over time: a case study of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Author(s)

Cott, Megan

Issue Date

2012-09-18T21:05:29Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Beller, Andrea H.

Department of Study

Agr & Consumer Economics

Discipline

Agr & Consumer Economics

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• consumer economics
• college major
• gender economics major
• women in consumer economics

Abstract

Dramatic declines in the percent women in the Consumer Economics (CE) major at the University of Illinois – Urbana, from primarily female to primarily male after a merger with the Agricultural Economics Department, inspired an empirical study to document and explain the decline. Using aggregate national data on Bachelor’s degrees awarded, and detailed data from 1982 through 2008 on all students who were ever CE majors from the campus’ Division of Management Information, we found that national trends of women in economics explains only a small portion of the decline, and gender composition of transfers into or out of the major is not the source either. We also found that the merger played a significant role in the decline in the share of female CE majors at the University, as well as the 1997 change of the major name to include the word “Finance”. Additionally, a likely source may come from changes in the gender composition of the freshman applicant pool. After a descriptive analysis, we estimate a regression model on the time series of interest. Additionally, we design recommendations on how to restore gender diversity to the CE major by addressing recruitment efforts with the goals of strengthening the learning environment for all students in the major and maintaining its overall enrollment. Success of any ensuing efforts can be measured by arresting the decline in percent female in the major, and, by steady enrollment.

Graduation Semester

2012-08

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/34200

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2012 Megan Cott

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