Study Finds Girls Want STEM Careers, But Are Unsure if They're Smart Enough

Here's how parents can inspire their kids to follow their dreams.

Careers in STEM fields are increasing rapidly and are expected to climb as the country becomes more technologically advanced. To date, about a quarter of the U.S. workforce, or 34.9 million people, are employed in STEM occupations. Plus, STEM jobs are expected to grow by nearly 11% between now and 2031.

Yet, despite this growth—and the relatively even disbursement among males and females in the workforce (52% vs. 48%)—the number of females in STEM positions still lags markedly behind males with only 18% of women holding those jobs.

This disparity may be related to how girls as young as grade school view themselves and their abilities concerning STEM, say researchers with Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) , a non-profit group that empowers young girls in grades 5 through 12.

ROX just released the latest version of its study, The Girls' Index , which examines girls' experiences, behaviors, and aspirations. The findings are grim regarding girls and STEM careers. Despite a growing interest in STEM fields, girls' confidence in their abilities is declining. Only 59% feel they're proficient in math and science—a decrease from 73% in 2017. And, 58% of high school girls believe they are not smart enough to pursue their dream job, an increase from 46% in 2017.

"This isn't about ability," says Lisa Hinkelman, PhD , founder and CEO of ROX and author of The Girls' Index . "It's about perception and confidence. Girls are internalizing messages from society, media, and even well-meaning adults that subtly, but persistently, undermine their belief in their STEM capabilities. They're navigating a minefield of societal pressures, with a staggering 89% reporting pressure to fit into specific roles and stereotypes."

Why the Confidence Gap in STEM Matters

This confidence gap the ROX study uncovered is exacerbated by a lack of visible role models in STEM and persistent stereotypes about who "belongs" in these fields, says Dr. Hinkelman. "Even when girls [excel] academically in math and science , they often aren't encouraged to see themselves as future STEM leaders."

The issue is that while girls' interest in STEM is growing, their belief in their ability to succeed in these fields is shrinking, she says. "This disconnect is not just a personal issue for these girls—it's a societal loss. We're at risk of missing out on a generation of innovative thinkers and problem solvers simply because they don't believe they're smart enough."

Dr. Hinkelman says parents, educators, and others need a multi-pronged approach to address these issues. "We must actively work to counter these undermining messages, provide positive and diverse STEM role models, and create environments where girls feel empowered to explore, experiment, and yes, even fail and learn from those failures in STEM subjects. We need to reframe the narrative around what it means to be good at STEM, emphasizing growth, curiosity, and perseverance over innate ability."

Advantages of Having Girls in STEM

Girls who pursue careers in STEM fields gain financial independence, strength, and power, says Tara Chklovski , a former aerospace engineer and founder and CEO of Technovation, a global technology and AI education nonprofit. These things are critical to increasing their voice, influence, and decision-making in their family, community, workplace, and country.

"In particular, technology careers provide greater economic stability and financial resilience," says Chklovski, pointing out they can earn two to six times more in a STEM job than ones in the service sector. "Not to mention, much of what we use today was designed through STEM fields, so ensuring women have an equal voice in designing systems, tools, and products will make sure that these systems, tools, and products have their best interests for 50% of the population," adds Chklovski.

During a child's younger years, STEM activities build the confidence, relationships, and resilience they need to be successful, says Chrissy Chen, MEd, , national director of youth development programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "STEM programs engage girls in problem-solving, encourage them to be curious about learning new things, and introduce them to new possibilities for their future."

STEM programming also builds social-emotional skills like collaboration, evaluation, and critical thinking, says Chen.

"The world of STEM surrounds us and enhances our lives every day," she adds. "It’s turning on a light switch, starting a car, the weather, using your phone or a computer—actions we take or experiences we have multiple times in the course of our day. STEM enriches our lives in thousands of ways, though we understand it can still be intimidating."

What Needs to Change?

While it's true the number of females in STEM is low, this isn't just about boosting numbers in STEM fields, says Dr. Hinkelman. "It's about nurturing the confidence and self-efficacy of girls, allowing them to see themselves as capable of tackling complex problems and driving innovation."

To bridge this gap, she suggests a multi-faceted approach including:

• Engaging girls in all STEM subjects from a young age and consistently reinforce the message that they are capable and belong in these fields
• Articulating how all STEM careers—including computer science and engineering—make a positive impact
• Increasing the visibility of women in underrepresented STEM fields, providing diverse role models that girls can relate to and aspire to become
• Creating more welcoming and inclusive environments in all STEM fields, challenging stereotypes and biases
• Boosting girls' confidence in their STEM abilities, particularly in fields where they're underrepresented

"Remember, this isn't just about numbers or percentages," says Dr. Hinkelman. "It's about unlocking the full potential of half our population to contribute to solving some of our world's most pressing challenges."

How Parents Can Help

Your daughter's first exposure to STEM begins at home, and early, says Tina McNutt, program director with Mentees on the Move, a STEM mentoring program at Community Partners of South Florida . She suggests creating opportunities early to foster a STEM mindset.

"Just like we hand a baby doll to our young girls, we can have opportunities for them in STEM—building things, creating, and problem-solving," she says. "Do hands-on activities that help girls build confidence , create ideas, and build problem-solving skills."

Promoting your daughter's interest in STEM also is about more than encouraging her to like math or science, says Dr. Hinkelman. She suggests the following tips for parents:

• Be a stereotype buster: Challenge gender stereotypes head-on, she says. "Make it crystal clear that STEM isn't just for boys. Actively seek out and showcase successful women in STEM who are changing the world. Make these role models a regular part of your family's conversations, media consumption, and reading choices."
• Foster a growth mindset: Help your daughter understand that STEM skills are developed through effort and learning , not innate talent, she says. "Celebrate her progress, her willingness to tackle challenges, and even her failures. Remember, failure is just a stepping stone to success in STEM."
• Make STEM come alive: Connect STEM to real-world problem-solving, suggests Dr. Hinkelman. "Our research shows that 86% of girls want careers that help others. Show your daughter how STEM directly impacts people's lives and solves global challenges."
• Get hands-on: Provide plenty of opportunities for hands-on STEM experiences , she says. This could be coding camps, science fairs, DIY projects at home, or even simple kitchen experiments.
• Build confidence holistically: Research shows that confident girls are 20% more likely to consider STEM careers, she says. "But confidence isn't just about STEM skills—it's about seeing herself as capable in all areas of life. Encourage her to take on challenges, express her ideas, and see herself as a problem-solver and innovator."
• Create a support network: Seek out 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 can be incredibly empowering.
• Challenge self-doubt: When you hear your daughter doubt her abilities, gently challenge those thoughts, says Dr. Hinkelman. Remind her of past successes, her unique strengths, and her capacity to learn and grow.

"Remember, your role isn't just to guide her toward STEM," says Dr. Hinkelman. "It's to help her see herself as someone who belongs in these fields—[someone] who can contribute meaningfully and has the power to shape the future through STEM."

For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Parents .