This study examines the association between sibling gender configuration and second-born siblings’ choice of so-called STEM educational fields (i.e., science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in Swedish two-child families. Using population data from administrative registers in Sweden, the findings show that younger siblings, net of parental characteristics, are more likely to choose a STEM field if their older sibling has attended or is already attending a STEM program. Moreover, a gender difference is clear concerning the choice of a STEM field among younger siblings: Girls are more likely to choose a STEM field if they have an older sister who has attended a STEM program, than if they have an older brother in a similar program. However, the corresponding results are not found for boys. Given that STEM fields are markedly male-dominated at tertiary level, this indicates an importance of a same-sex role model for young girls contemplating gender-atypical educational choices.

本研究探讨了瑞典二孩家庭中兄弟姐妹性别配置与第二胎兄弟姐妹选择所谓的 STEM 教育领域（即科学、技术、工程和数学）之间的关联。使用来自瑞典行政登记册的人口数据，研究结果表明，如果年长的兄弟姐妹已经参加或已经参加了 STEM 课程，那么在没有父母特征的情况下，年幼的兄弟姐妹更有可能选择 STEM 领域。此外，在弟弟妹妹中选择 STEM 领域的性别差异很明显：如果女孩有一个参加过 STEM 课程的姐姐，那么女孩更有可能选择 STEM 领域，而不是有类似的哥哥。程序。但是，男孩没有找到相应的结果。