Of the several barriers to women in the professions--discrimination at entry level, limited opportunities for advanced study, limited advancement, role conflict, and role socialization--lack of motivation to persist in the study of mathematics and mathematics-related subjects is one that can be prevented and cured. (MLW)

Although mathematics avoidance and mathematics anxiety are not unknown among men and boys, stressful experiences with mathematics are particularly pronounced in girls and women. Many educating and governing institutions will have to work together if efforts to alleviate mathematics anxiety are to pay off. (CJ)

Women tend to subscribe to a belief that they are less inclined than males to handle numbers, logic, or problem-solving tasks. Upward mobility in occupations is seen to be dependent on math. A list of math anxiety, math avoidance, and math reentry programs given around the country is provided. (MLW)

Reviewing research relating mathematical achievement to gender, the authors argue that remedies for math anxiety need to be evaluated and new techniques devised that are most closely linked to theories of learning. They maintain that proper techniques can be effective in reversing female underachievement and preventing math avoidance. (Author/SK)