Girls in STEM

Why aren't a lot of girls going into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related study/work?

Less encouragement in school? They may find the idea of "science" intimidating or felt like they didn't do well in school so that must mean they will not be able to achieve a science degree. I know some teachers make people feel like they're idiots which stays with them for life.

A lot of women don't seem to aim high. So many girls I know say how much they just want to become a hairdresser/make-up artist/beautician, which is fine if that's what they'll enjoy but I don't think all of them will and they're doing it because it's an easily achievable job. Maybe it's just not interesting to some women, particularly the girly girly type of women. I think sometimes women like to uphold that traditional view of women being mothers, housewives and looking glamorous all the time and if that's for them, then that's for them! I think the traditional views of women still stand in society but subtly and it makes women feel like the opportunities are not there for them.

There are other careers available that may be more appealing to women like child care or nursing. We need people to do other careers anyway - it wouldn't work if every female aimed for science careers, but I do wish for more women to aim higher and push themselves!

Do you think there is a way we can get more teachers on board to encourage students rather than making them feel it's not worthy of them? There's plenty of women who've had it all - from a family, career and more!

They prefer other subjects?

This could be the case, but it may be because they aren't encouraged enough to think about other subject areas which are predominantly saturated with males

You can't generalise like that. I was at a mixed school and it did not stop females taking science and maths. What about the lack of males taking English does anyone get bothered about that?

We aren't generalising it is a known fact there isn't gender equality in STEM related subjects and that's what we're trying to do - get more women interested and pursue those careers.

So why is no-one working to get men into Humanities? Why do you feel there needs to be this focus and not one on men into humanites?

I don’t think there is discouragement for females being in STEM fields, i think less decide to go into it simply because they don’t like it

So we're focusing on this because we want to promote a career as an actuary, and secondly as it's International Women's Day on Thursday 8 March - so we wanted to find out thoughts on the subject.

As for men in humanities, I'm sure their own professional body will have initiatives they run

You'll need more that ONE day a year to be Women's Day if you really want to make a difference.

I've never seen anything in the press about encouraging men to study other subjects.

This could be the case, but it may be because they aren't encouraged enough to think about other subject areas which are predominantly saturated with males

Can you think of ways to make it more appealing if they don't like it?

That is true, it will take more than one day, but it's still slow and steady progress.

Less encouragement in school? They may find the idea of "science" intimidating or felt like they didn't do well in school so that must mean they will not be able to achieve a science degree. I know some teachers make people feel like they're idiots which stays with them for life.

A lot of women don't seem to aim high. So many girls I know say how much they just want to become a hairdresser/make-up artist/beautician, which is fine if that's what they'll enjoy but I don't think all of them will and they're doing it because it's an easily achievable job. Maybe it's just not interesting to some women, particularly the girly girly type of women. I think sometimes women like to uphold that traditional view of women being mothers, housewives and looking glamorous all the time and if that's for them, then that's for them! I think the traditional views of women still stand in society but subtly and it makes women feel like the opportunities are not there for them.

There are other careers available that may be more appealing to women like child care or nursing. We need people to do other careers anyway - it wouldn't work if every female aimed for science careers, but I do wish for more women to aim higher and push themselves!

I see no progress since I was at school myself many years ago now. Linear A levels will make it harder for girls again as will removing GCSE coursework.