How Gender Stereotypes Shape Children’s Motivation in STEM Fields

Quick Summary

• A study published in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 122, Issue 18 (May 2025), examines gender stereotypes in STEM fields.
• The study highlights that perceptions about computer science adn engineering sharply differ from those about math and science among students from Grades 1 to 12.
• These divergent stereotypes persist across racially and socioeconomically diverse groups,emphasizing their universality.

Indian Opinion Analysis
This research sheds light on how early perceptions of gender roles within STEM fields could influence career pathways globally, including in India. Gender stereotypes disproportionately affecting engineering and computer science might explain lower female participation rates observed both academically and professionally in these subfields compared with math or pure sciences. For india-a nation striving for gender equity in education and employment-the findings underline the importance of targeted interventions at school levels to dismantle such biases early.Addressing these stereotypes could help leverage untapped potential among girls, boost diversity, and contribute more equitably to India’s growing tech-driven economy.

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