It will be of great help to me, in my research into this topic, if you can point me to any statistical studies that talk about unemployment levels/low-wage levels among science graduates corroborating the points you have made in your comment.

First off there is no “shortage of scientists.” It is a big lie. I know scientists who have spent years unemployed and the employment of scientists age 40 and over is appalling.

Also, look at the wages. Most positions in science don’t even offer a decent middle class salary. In many cases getting benefits and 40k is tough. Many companies do not even hire their scientists directly but use temp agencies to avoid paying benefits and to be able to fire them at a moments notice with no fallout.

Americans avoid science careers not because they consider it nerdy, but because they realize it is the path to near poverty and unemployment. I have an MS degree in science and will be returning to school to switch careers into accounting. Shame on our nation for pleading for people to study science then denying them a living as a reward.