Research says: Feminine STEM role models do not motivate girls

[pfreivald]

Don't go too far with that idea. Listen to Richard Feynman talk about trying to encourage both his son and his daughter to pursue science -- it worked for his son, and didn't work for his daughter.

In my family, it worked for some of the boys but not others.

People are different. I'm not convinced that STEM/gender distinctions are all that important, either in recognition or in something that needs remedy. I've got very, very STEM-interested girls in my robotics programs, and I've got boys who I couldn't drag in no matter what.

I think my perspective on this comes from a rather fierce individualism -- peoples is peoples, and likes what they likes. I think it's important to try to get everyone to try new things, just to see if they like them, and to pursue their passions with relentless tenacity -- and I think we should make no distinction based on gender, skin color, creed, geography, socio-economic status, or anything else.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

I think my perspective on this comes from a rather fierce individualism -- peoples is peoples, and likes what they likes. I think it's important to try to get everyone to try new things, just to see if they like them, and to pursue their passions with relentless tenacity -- and I think we should make no distinction based on gender, skin color, creed, geography, socio-economic status, or anything else.

Personally I think this is closer to the root of the issue. Do many peer groups and media sources stereotype STEM as masculine? Yes (see any of above studies for empiricism). Parents, teachers, and other parties may also contribute. But providing contrary role models doesn't change that stereotype (in fact, it creates an detrimental heuristic controversy).

Short of altering the entire culture at large [not that I don't advocate that], the thing that changes this is inspiring kids' confidence in their own individuality. If they like what they like and have the self-worth to stand up for it--or to search for it, and/or just deal with the peer pressure in general, it won't matter what those peers or anyone else says. Elementary and middle (and high, and post-secondary) schools, at least the ones I went to, are filled with girls/women--and men--that say 'I wanted to do that, but it just wasn't ok'. IMHO, that's what needs to change.

In short, yes, if you can raise your kids to follow their dreams no matter what anyone says, and the rest will go a lot smoother.

Originally Posted by pfreivald

People are different. I'm not convinced that STEM/gender distinctions are all that important, either in recognition or in something that needs remedy.

Here I have to disagree with you. Of course, as in anything, there are some girls that love STEM (the board is full of them) and some guys that hate it. But whether there's a quantitative gender gap in STEM? Statistically, there's no doubt there is. At least for myself, I can't see a way that it's entirely individual/internal. There's an external biasing going on here, and I do feel it needs a remedy.
Women hold 48% of all jobs but only 24% of STEM. They earn more than half the undergraduate degrees in the US but only hold 27% in STEM (and many of those in biological sciences only). Only 1 in 7 engineers is female. The list goes on.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by Siri

Elementary and middle (and high, and post-secondary) schools, at least the ones I went to, are filled with girls/women--and men--that say 'I wanted to do that, but it just wasn't ok'. IMHO, that's what needs to change.

Yup.

Originally Posted by Siri

Here I have to disagree with you. Of course, as in anything, there are some girls that love STEM (the board is full of them) and some guys that hate it. But whether there's a quantitative gender gap in STEM? Statistically, there's no doubt there is.

Absolutely. The question is whether or not that matters. There are those who will cry that of course it matters, and they have a host of reasons why they will say so. To me, if any given person does/does not go into STEM because they are pursuing a passion that does/does not coincide with STEM -- for whatever reason -- that's totally fine. The problem is, IMO, people who choose to chase no passion, or at least not insofar as it requires hard work and dedication.

The trick is showing kids that STEM is at least a possibility, and give them the opportunity to develop a passion for it if they choose to do so, regardless of physiology.

[Chinmay]

Katie, take a look at these few articles. I firmly believe that the heart of the the problem is, like you said, not having enough female role models in industry

My favorite quote about the matter, "Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, you will need mentors at every level of your career" - Jane Reckelhoff

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org....opms.r1000084
and more recently
http://www.usnews.com/education/high...le-stem-majors


oh and btw, thanks for being one of those female role model/mentors