Careers in STEM fields are rapidly increasing and are expected to increase as the country advances technologically. To date, approximately one-quarter of the U.S. workforce, or 34.9 million people, are employed in STEM occupations. Additionally, STEM jobs are expected to grow by nearly 11% between now and 2031.
However, despite this growth, and despite the relatively equal spending of men and women in the workforce (52% vs. 48%), women continue to be significantly outnumbered by men in STEM jobs. Women are lagging behind, with only 18% of women in STEM jobs.
Researchers at Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX), a nonprofit organization that empowers girls in grades 5 to 12, say this disparity is changing how elementary-age girls view themselves and their STEM abilities. He says they may be related.
ROX has just published the latest edition of its study, The Girls’ Index, which examines girls’ experiences, behaviors and aspirations. The findings are harsh when it comes to girls and STEM careers. Despite growing interest in STEM fields, girls’ confidence in their abilities is declining. Only 59% feel they are proficient in math and science, down from 73% in 2017. Additionally, 58% of high school girls believe they are not smart enough to pursue their dream job, up from 46% in 2017.
“This is not a question of ability,” says Dr. Lisa Hinkelman, founder and CEO of ROX and author of The Girls’ Index. “The issue is awareness and confidence. Girls are internalizing messages from society, the media, and even well-meaning adults that subtly but persistently challenge their belief in their STEM abilities. Navigating the minefield of social pressures: % report pressure to fit into a particular role or stereotype.”
Why the trust gap in STEM matters
This trust gap revealed in the ROX study is further exacerbated by a lack of visible role models in STEM and persistent stereotypes about who “belongs” in these fields, Dr. Hinkelman says. . “Even though girls excel academically in math and science, they are often not encouraged to think of themselves as future STEM leaders.”
The problem, she says, is that while girls’ interest in STEM is growing, their belief in their ability to succeed in these fields is waning. “This disconnect is not just a personal problem for them, it is a societal cost. We are at risk of losing a generation.”
Dr. Hinkelman says parents, educators and others need a multifaceted approach to addressing these issues. “We need to counter these debilitating messages, provide positive and diverse STEM role models, and encourage girls to explore, experiment, and even fail and learn from STEM subjects. We must actively work to create an environment in which students feel that they can excel in STEM, focusing on growth, curiosity, and perseverance over innate ability.”
Benefits of having girls in STEM fields
Tara Chiklovsky, a former aerospace engineer and founder and CEO of Technovation, a global technology and AI education nonprofit, believes that girls who pursue careers in STEM can achieve financial independence, It is said to gain physical strength and power. These are important to increase their voice, influence, and decision-making in their families, communities, workplaces, and countries.
“Technology-related careers in particular offer greater financial security and economic resilience,” Chklovski said, noting that STEM jobs can earn two to six times more than those in the service sector. Masu. “It goes without saying that much of what we use today is designed through STEM disciplines, so ensuring women have an equal voice in the design of systems, tools, and products will help those systems, tools, The product will be in the best interest of 50% of women, half of the population,” Chiklovsky added.
Chrissy Chen, M.D., national director of youth development programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, says that exposing children to STEM activities at an early age builds the confidence, relationships, and resilience they need to succeed. states that it can be built. “STEM programs involve girls in problem-solving, encourage their curiosity to learn new things, and introduce them to new possibilities for the future.”
STEM programming also builds social-emotional skills such as collaboration, evaluation, and critical thinking, Chen says.
“The world of STEM surrounds us and improves our lives every day,” she added. “It’s an action or experience that we do many times throughout the day, like turning on a light switch, starting a car, checking the weather, or using a cell phone or computer.What is STEM? We know it can enrich our lives in a thousand ways, but it can still be scary.”
What needs to change?
While it’s true that women are underrepresented in STEM fields, Dr. Hinkelman says this is about more than just increasing the number of women in STEM fields. “This is about building confidence and self-efficacy in girls so they believe they are capable of tackling complex problems and driving innovation.”
To bridge this gap, she suggests a multifaceted approach:
Involving girls in all STEM subjects from a young age and consistently reinforcing the message that girls are capable and belong in these fields How all STEM careers, including computer science and engineering, can be beneficial Increase the visibility of underrepresented women in STEM fields Provide diverse role models that girls can relate to and aspire to Become more welcoming and inclusive in all STEM fields Create an environment and challenge stereotypes and biases Increase girls’ confidence in their STEM abilities, especially in underrepresented fields
“Remember, this is not just a question of numbers and percentages,” says Dr. Hinkelman. “It’s about maximizing the potential of half the population and contributing to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.”
What parents can do
Tina McNutt, program director of Mentees on the Move, Community Partners of South Florida’s STEM mentoring program, said her daughter’s first exposure to STEM starts early, at home. She suggests creating opportunities early on to foster a STEM mindset.
“Just as we hand out baby dolls to little girls, we can give them STEM opportunities to build, create, and problem solve.” she says. “Provide hands-on activities that help girls build confidence, generate ideas, and develop problem-solving skills.”
Encouraging your daughter’s interest in STEM is about more than just encouraging a love of math and science, Dr. Hinkelman says. She offers the following tips for parents:
Break the stereotypes: Challenge gender stereotypes head on, she says. “Make it clear that STEM is not just for boys. Actively seek out and introduce successful women in STEM fields who are changing the world. Make media consumption and reading a regular part of your choices.” Develop a growth mindset: Help your daughter understand that STEM skills are developed through hard work and learning, not innate talent. Let me have it, she says. “Celebrate her progress, her willingness to take on challenges, and even her failures. Remember, failures are just stepping stones to success in STEM fields.” Bringing STEM to Life: Bringing STEM to the Real World Dr. Hinkelman suggests connecting this to problem solving. “Our research shows that 86% of girls want a career that helps others. Teach your daughter how STEM directly impacts people’s lives and solves global challenges. Get hands-on: Provide plenty of opportunities to get hands-on with STEM, she says. This includes things like coding camps, science fairs, at-home DIY projects, and even simple kitchen experiments. Build confidence overall: Research shows that confident girls are 20% more likely to consider a STEM career. “But confidence is about more than just STEM skills; it’s about believing you are capable in all areas of life. Build a support network: Look for mentorship programs, STEM clubs, or online communities where your daughter can connect with other girls interested in STEM, she says. . Having peers who share her interests is incredibly empowering. Challenge self-doubt: If you hear your daughter doubting her abilities, gently challenge those thoughts, says Dr. Hinkelman. Remind her of her past successes, her unique strengths, and her ability to learn and grow.
“Remember, your role is not just to get her into STEM,” says Dr. Hinkelman. “It’s about helping her see herself as a person in these fields, someone who can contribute meaningfully and who has the power to shape the future through STEM.”
