In STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) university courses, men typically outnumber women by a considerable margin. So when Jared Mauldin witnessed first hand how some of his female classmates were being treated, he decided to voice his concerns.
In a letter sent to his student newspaper at Eastern Washington University, the senior in mechanical engineering addressed the systemic gender inequality in many academic subjects.
"To the women in my engineering classes ... you and I are unequal" begins the letter, which has gone viral on social media, before launching into a tirade of criticism at sexist social stereotypes.
"I did not, for example, grow up in the world that discouraged me from focusing on hard science," he writes. "Nor did I live in a society that told me not to get dirty, or said I was bossy for exhibiting leadership skills."
"I was not overlooked by teachers who assumed that the reason I did not understand a tough math or science concept was, after all, because of my gender."
Photo: Jared Mauldin
A study published earlier this year proved that two thirds of female academics practising in STEM fields had, at some point in their professional careers, fallen victim to sexist remarks, treatment or behaviour.
Maudlin concludes his impassioned letter by subverting a common attitude. "You and I cannot be equal," he writes. "You have already conquered far more to be in this field that I will ever face."
Posted by Jared Mauldin on Monday, October 5, 2015
The letter has received mixed responses from social media. Many have praised Mauldin for speaking out against gender injustice, with comments of "Beautiful. This man gets it" and "Give this young man credit for writing in support of the women in his class. The world needs more people with the ability to empathise."
However, some have branded the letter ironic, suggesting that it would not have got the same level of publicity had it been penned by one of the female students themselves.