[Intersection between gender and socioeconomic status in medical sciences career choice].
OBJECTIVE
Analyze the relationship between gender identity and socioeconomic level associated with career choice among undergraduate students selecting the area of health sciences.


METHODS
Our sample was comprised of first year medical nutrition, dentistry and nursing students (n=637) admitted to the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana - Xochimilco. A self administered questionnaire was used. The dependent variable was career choice. Independent variables included socioeconomic status, gender norms in student's homes, and gender stereotype internalization.


RESULTS
More female nursing students came from low socioeconomic strata, while medical students had a higher socioeconomic status. Among males, more nursing and medical students belonged to a higher socioeconomicstrata. Nutrition and dentistry students belonged to a medium strata. In comparison with males from high socioeconomic strata more male participants reported that household chores were divided among men and women. For women, as the socioeconomic level increased, the participation of men and women also increased. In the indicators of internalization of gender stereotypes, nursing students had the highest rates in the submission scale, but the lowest for masculinity and machismo. As the socioeconomic strata increased, the characteristics of masculinity and machismo also increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results seem to indicate that among women of low socioeconomic strata more traditional gender stereotypes prevail which lead them to seek career choices considered femenine. Among men, there is a clear relationship between career choice, socioeconomic level and internalization of gender stereotypes.
Gallardo-Hernández
Georgina
G
Departamento de Atención a la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco, México D.F., México.
Ortiz-Hernández
Luis
L
Compeán-Dardón
Sandra
S
Verde-Flota
Elizabeth
E
Delgado-Sáncnchez
Guadalupe
G
Tamez-González
Silivia
S
D002321:Career Choice; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires