[alexpetralia]

Is there any evidence that would convince you that interests can diverge, independent of society (nurture)? Your argument relies on the assumption (yes, an assumption, not evidence) that society exclusively determines our interests. You do not admit a role for biology. There is little scientific evidence that supports this view.

[magic5227]

I didn't say "society exclusively determines our interests"

my point was pretty simple. If society at large, in ways small and big, encourage women from joining a field, I think it's likely fewer will participate.

This is the argument behind Sheryl Sandberg creating stock photos that demonstrate more inclusion. If all I see are white men with grey hair in photos as doctors, don't you think that might bias women to think that's who doctors are? That's not 100% of what influences an interest, but it's an important one.

https://www.gettyimages.com/collections/leanin

[magic5227]

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2005-11115-001

Current research generally does not find evidence that variations in preferences, psychology, or personality stem from genetic or biological factors. Rather, they’re primarily attributed to culture and socialization.

[reroute1]

Actually the abstract points out that this hypothesis is one going against the largely held scientific view of biological factors and gender differences...

A rebuttal a year later in the related section points out omissions from this paper and offers a deeper perspective on the differences

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-11202-013

[Khaine]

You mean like that in more gender equal societies, women are less likely to pursue a degree in STEM. Its a well known phenomenon called the gender-paradox[1]

[1] http://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/4753/6/symplectic-version....

[XorNot]

Is there any evidence (say, the numerous studies on this very topic) that would convince you that the pipeline of many careers has systemic discriminatory effects driving particular genders and races out of those fields?

[alexpetralia]

In fact, quite a bit! I am already convinced. If tribal associations would clarify, then I am more than likely "on your side."

Can you direct me to where I suggested there is no systematic career discrimination towards minorities? If that's how you interpreted my comment, then I apologize for that. There is absolutely substantial structural discrimination; I don't intend to minimize that.

The comment I was replying to did in fact specify as an assumption (the antecedent of the conditional) that "society tells a woman she's not likely as interested in something." This framing excludes the possibility that something else (namely biology) may affect a person's preferences.

I don't think that's a reasonable assumption - again, little scientific evidence supports that view. (Even intuition does not support that view: I don't think most people would argue that men for the most part are "brainwashed" by society to have sexual preferences for women. Likely some of this is biological; in fact, there is a good evolutionary reason for it!)