The lack of students who choose to major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields is a growing concern in the United States and across the world. Because an individual’s attitudes and understandings of STEM are likely shaped by “an individual’s direct, personal experiences, needs, expectations, and culture” it is important to address the issue from a systems perspective.
Family Influence: Family culture plays a vital role in developing STEM interests. Parents have been shown to be important in encouraging the STEM interests of youth. Parents who discuss the value and importance of STEM tend to have children with a higher level of self-efficacy and STEM outcome expectancies. Youths’ interest in STEM careers is related to their families’ science capital and science habitus.
However, most programs aimed at increasing youth interest and career aspirations focus on the youth and little is known about programs that seek to approach the problem from a systems perspective. Of particular importance is increasing the tools parents have to support the STEM interests and career aspirations of their children.
