According to a new study, “Staying Power: Women in Science on What It Take to Succeed," 91% of women working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field said that gender discrimination remains an obstacle to their career, and an incredible 100% reported self-doubt and a lack of confidence. While this research also shows that women are thriving, there are some areas in which improvements are fundamentally needed.
The Staying Power study highlights the main factors that help women following STEM careers, like getting grant funding, mentorship, support from peers, access to professional connections, as well as support from family and friends. Unfortunately, girls and women continue to be systematically steered away from STEM domains throughout their education.
“Teachers and parents provide explicit and implicit messages starting in early childhood that boys and men are ‘better’ at math, and the gaps in the professions reinforce the opportunities, culture and lack of role models that perpetuate male dominance,” said Laura Segal, senior vice president, communications and external affairs for the American Association of University Women.
It's very important to spread the awareness that girls and women are as capable as boys and men with the appropriate educational methods; we need to make parents better understand how they can encourage their daughters in math and science. “We must directly educate girls, teachers and parents that math skills are not innate - and are learned and change over time - promoting a growth mindset,” said Segal. We have to empower girls (like boys) to embrace challenges.
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Picture: Immunologist Shruti Naik is trying to recruit and retain more women and minorities in STEM (nbcnews, w/Effects)
