Can being one of few women in a class make group work more difficult?
Yes, it can be difficult for some students. When there are few women in a class, a student may have fewer people they feel comfortable speaking with, or may face assumptions about roles or opinions based on gender, which can create extra pressure or a sense of isolation. However, the extent of any difficulty varies with the group’s attitudes, the way the class is run, the assignment, and the individual student. Clearly sharing roles and speaking opportunities, and consulting the instructor if needed, may help.
Key points
- Having few women in the class can sometimes lead to isolation or added pressure about speaking and group roles.
- Agreeing in advance on roles and opportunities to speak may make participation easier.
- Students’ experiences differ depending on the group atmosphere and how the class is organized.
Things to check
- Methods of course management and available contacts for consultation vary by university, faculty, and course, so specific support should be checked in official information.