Do women leave STEM more often than men?

For many reasons, mainly because of the glass ceiling and bias, women, despite having completed a bachelor’s degree, often leave their fields or never enter them in the first place. According to reports, 40% of women leave engineering to pursue another career, which is significantly higher than their male counterparts. This statistic is seen in most STEM fields as well. It’s important to note, however, that this is not because women “can’t handle the work” but because of the system and culture that is in place that drives them out of these professions. For example, the prevailing masculine culture in many STEM environments can alienate women while inadequate maternity leave policies and lack of support for childcare can pressure women to choose between their careers and family life.