Youngsters believe STEM subjects are aimed more at boys

Almost a third of young people believe that STEM subjects are designed to match male careers, research has shown.

According to a survey by Accenture, 32 per cent of youngsters think that boys are more likely to choose STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects because they are aimed more towards male jobs.

The report quizzed more than 8,500 parents, teachers and young people and found that 52 per cent of parents and 57 per cent of teachers have admitted to making subconscious stereotypes in regards to boys and and girls taking STEM subjects.

The findings also show that 36 per cent of young people are put off studying STEM as they are not sure what the subjects support.

Girls are more likely to view STEM as “academic” and “boring” and the research suggests that there has been a dip in the number of girls enjoying STEM subjects like maths and computer science as they begin secondary school.

However, 50 per cent of girls aged between seven and 11 found these subjects to be fun. This figure then falls by about 20 per cent in the 11-14 age group.

Emma McGuigan, senior managing director for Accenture Technology in the UK and Ireland, commented: “Girls’ engagement with STEM is clearly waning as they reach the age when they begin to consider their subject choices and future careers.

“We have to address this by doing more to spark and retain girls’ interest in STEM at an early age, while expanding perceptions and demonstrating what a career or a person who works in STEM looks like beyond the traditional stereotypes."

She added: “Inspiring more girls to pursue STEM subjects and careers will not only help us to address the skills gap in science and technology, it will also help us to create a more diverse workforce that truly represents the world we live in.”