Women in STEM: Debunking Myths and Stereotypes

Women in STEM: Debunking Myths and Stereotypes

Women have always been part of STEM, but many still face challenges and unfair stereotypes. Some people believe that women aren’t as good at math and science or that STEM careers aren’t for them. In this blog, we’ll clear up these myths, talk about why having more women in STEM is important, and show how diversity helps create better ideas and solutions.

Why Are Women Needed in STEM Fields?

Women are not only needed in STEM fields, they deserve every opportunity to succeed in them. A diverse workforce fosters innovation by introducing different perspectives that lead to breakthroughs. Studies show that teams with gender diversity perform better in problem-solving and creative thinking, elevating these fields to a higher level. 

Women in Medical Research

An article from Nature in 2017 found that female co-authorship increases the likelihood of research addressing gender-related differences in disease and treatment outcomes. More recently, from Nature again in 2024, the article reveals that all-female research teams are 35% more likely to develop medical treatments that specifically address women’s health needs compared to all-male teams. These clearly show the importance of having more female representation in STEM, ensuring that critical health issues affecting women receive the attention they deserve.

Women in Engineering

Research shows that gender-diverse teams bring different perspectives, challenge assumptions, and create solutions that work for a wider audience. A McKinsey study found that companies with greater gender diversity are 21% more likely to be profitable, showing that inclusivity isn’t just ethical—it drives success. In engineering, this means developing products, technologies, and infrastructure that consider the needs of all people, not just a select group

Women Further Innovation

In truth, it’s not just medical research or engineering, all fields in STEM benefit from having more women in them. More women in STEM fields means more innovation. Diverse teams bring fresh ideas and challenge outdated methods. Research shows companies with gender-diverse leadership perform better and drive more progress. Female-led teams create groundbreaking ideas but often go unrecognized in relation to their male counterparts. More women in STEM isn’t just about equality, it’s about building a smarter future.

Why the Gender Gap in STEM Still Exists

We’ve learned that women in STEM are essential for innovation, yet why do we still see the gender disparity in the field? The answer is a deeply rooted bias that influences perceptions and opportunities in ways that often go unnoticed.

The Glass Ceiling

Women in STEM often struggle to move into leadership roles because of workplace culture and unfair hiring practices. Many feel they are overlooked for promotions or not taken as seriously as men. Studies show that over a third of women see gender as a barrier to career growth, with work environments and lack of flexibility being major challenges. According to The Times, women in engineering also have a harder time returning to work after a career break, making it even tougher to advance. These problems keep many women out of top positions in STEM, reducing diversity and slowing innovation.

Some Women Feel They Aren’t Smart Enough for STEM

Many women doubt their ability in STEM due to societal influences rather than actual ability. A 2019 study from Carnegie Mellon University found no difference in mathematical ability between boys and women ages 3 to 10. However, another study shows that differences emerge during puberty, not because of their actual ability, but because of cultural expectations. Women are often raised in a more sheltered environment due to the need to protect them, thus limiting their opportunities to explore skills or topics. On the other hand, boys are encouraged to take risks and are less sheltered, and can explore much more freely.  As a result, women may become more reluctant to make mistakes, which can hinder their confidence in math and science. Since STEM fields require a strong math foundation, this self-doubt can discourage them from pursuing technical careers.

Isn’t it sad that such stereotypes still exist and are still deeply seated that even some women doubt themselves? Fortunately, in our age we are making progress and to help abolish such stereotypes and misconceptions, let’s go over the most common myths about women in STEM. 

What Are the Common Stereotypes About Women in STEM?

  • Myth: Women are naturally worse at math and science
  • Reality: Studies show no innate differences in math ability between boys and women. The gap results from cultural influences, not ability.
  • Myth: STEM careers are not creative or social.
  • Reality: Many STEM fields require creativity, collaboration, and communication. Engineering, design, and data science all involve problem-solving and teamwork, making them highly dynamic and interactive fields.
  • Myth: Women do not belong in technical roles.
  • Reality: Women have made groundbreaking contributions in STEM. Ada Lovelace helped pioneer computing, and Marie Curie’s discoveries in physics and chemistry changed the world. Women continue to innovate and lead in technical fields today.
  • Myth: There are no female role models in STEM.
  • Reality: More women are rising in STEM leadership. Figures like Dr. Fei-Fei Li in artificial intelligence and Dr. Jennifer Doudna in genetics are shaping the future of science and technology, inspiring the next generation.
  • Myth: Women prefer careers in humanities and social sciences
  • Reality: While more women enter these fields, it’s often due to social expectations rather than a lack of STEM interest. Many women thrive in STEM when given equal support and opportunities.
  • Myth: Gender diversity in STEM doesn’t matter
  • Reality: Research shows that diverse teams create better solutions, drive innovation, and lead to more inclusive technology and policies. More women in STEM benefits everyone.

How to Address and Reduce Bias in STEM

Although bias lies deep, we can start abolishing it with how we raise our children. The child is ultimately a product of the society that they grow in, so if we want to see change, it should be changed in our collective perception. Here are a few ways we can start 

Early Encouragement 

Schools and parents should introduce STEM activities to girls as early as preschool, around ages 3 to 5, through hands-on experiments, building projects, and problem-solving games. By elementary school (ages 6 to 10), exposure to coding, robotics, and math challenges can help maintain interest. Middle school (ages 11 to 13) is critical, as many girls start losing confidence in STEM, so mentorship, role models, and project-based learning to become essential.

Upholding Diversity in the Workplace 

Companies should implement mentorship programs that pair early-career women with experienced STEM professionals to provide guidance and support. Leadership training for women should start at the mid-career level to ensure they are prepared for promotions. Family-friendly policies like flexible work hours, on-site childcare, and paid parental leave help women balance career growth with personal responsibilities. Equal pay and unbiased promotion evaluations should be enforced at all levels.

Unconscious Bias Training 

Schools should begin teaching unconscious bias training awareness in middle school to help students recognize and challenge gender stereotypes before they become ingrained. Universities and workplaces should implement formal bias training as part of orientation and ongoing professional development, ensuring hiring managers, educators, and executives actively work against discriminatory practices in evaluations and promotions. Some schools are adopting bias training into their curriculum. The London Primary Schools Initiative for example pushes primary schools to engage students in workshops for children and specialized training for teachers. 

Policy and Advocacy Supporting Women

Governments and private organizations should fund STEM programs for girls, including summer camps, scholarships, and competitions that encourage participation. Companies should enforce equal hiring practices with blind resume reviews and diversity-focused recruitment efforts. Policies like paid parental leave, return-to-work programs for women re-entering the workforce, and legal protections against discrimination help create a more inclusive STEM environment. 

Organizations like the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) have developed programs such as Aspirations in Computing, which encourage young women to pursue careers in computing and technology. This initiative has successfully increased female participation in these fields. 

Although the disadvantages women face exist beyond STEM, working towards inclusions in such fields is still an important milestone for progressing beyond the bygone biases of the past. 

Need Help? Cardinal Education Can Lend a Hand!

We hope that our blog has inspired a few ladies out there to pursue STEM. However, the top STEM schools are notoriously competitive and selective of prospective students. 

The independent admissions consultants at Cardinal Education can offer expert guidance on private school and college admissions to the best schools with the best STEM programs! With academic coaching and test prep, we ensure students present themselves as top candidates.

Contact us today and let our experts guide you!

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Unfortunately, yes. Women in all fields of work, especially STEM, are paid less than their male counterparts even in the same job roles. For instance, in the United States, men in STEM jobs earn an average of $36.34 per hour, while women earn $31.11 per hour. This disparity persists even when accounting for factors like education and age. To add to that, a 2023 report highlighted that in Norway, men earn an average of 13% more than women, a gap that remains even when comparing individuals with the same job, experience, and qualifications. While progress is being made, the pay gap still exists, and many organizations are working towards making equal pay for women in STEM careers the norm.

  • There are lots of scholarships and programs that are created by and for women in STEM. A good example would be initiatives like Girls Who Code and Black Girls CODE, which help women break out in such a male-dominated STEM field, giving them necessary resources and skills to find a career in coding. Another great opportunity is offered by Stanford University with its Women in Data Science (WiDS) Initiative, which also helps women break out in Data Science through hosting conferences and workshops. These programs and scholarships are much needed today as they serve as a unique opportunity for women who are not finding support for their interests in STEM in their own schools.

  • Women are much more prominent in a few STEM fields than others. For example, biological science, at least in the US, has more women in it than men. Reports indicate that women hold 53% of biological science college degrees in 2018. Accounting for all STEM fields, however, only 

    26% of the workforce are represented by women. In fields like computer science, engineering, and mathematics, there still is an obvious gender disparity. This shows that while progress has been made in some disciplines, significant gender disparities still exist in most fields and that we should work towards closing the gender gap for all fields.

  • For many reasons, mainly because of the glass ceiling and bias, women, despite having completed a bachelor’s degree, often leave their fields or never enter them in the first place. According to reports, 40% of women leave engineering to pursue another career, which is significantly higher than their male counterparts. This statistic is seen in most STEM fields as well. It’s important to note, however, that this is not because women “can’t handle the work” but because of the system and culture that is in place that drives them out of these professions. For example, the prevailing masculine culture in many STEM environments can alienate women while inadequate maternity leave policies and lack of support for childcare can pressure women to choose between their careers and family life.