Studies of gender disparities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) performance have generally focused on average differences. However, the extremes could also be important because disparities at the top may shape stratification in access to STEM careers, while disparities at the bottom can shape stratification in dropout. This article investigates determinants of gender disparities in math across the performance distribution in Latin American countries, where there is a persistent boys’ advantage in STEM performance. Findings reveal disparate national patterns in gender gaps across the performance distribution. Furthermore, while certain national characteristics are linked to gender gaps at the low- and middle-ranges of the performance distribution, female representation in education is the only characteristic associated with a reduced gender gap at the top level.

中文翻译：

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在极端的差异？拉丁美洲的性别，国家背景和数学表现

对STEM（科学，技术，工程和数学）成绩中的性别差异的研究通常集中在平均差异上。但是，极端情况也可能很重要，因为顶部的差异可能会影响进入STEM职业的分层，而底部的差异可能会导致辍学的分层。本文研究了拉丁美洲国家绩效表现中数学上性别差异的决定因素，在拉丁美洲国家，男孩在STEM表现上具有持久优势。调查结果揭示了整个绩效分布中性别差距的不同国家模式。此外，虽然某些国家特征与绩效分布中低端的性别差距有关，