A father greatly affects how a daughter views her capabilities in math and science. Find out how powerful the influence is.
Lead by Example
I remember learning more by example than being told. My parents worked hard, very hard. As Polish immigrants, they tended a large garden, saved money, and did everything possible to provide a good life for their daughters. We didn't get lectured to save money--they showed us. My parents didn't lecture me on the virtues of hard labor, they showed me. And, they didn't lecture me on patriotism but my father was up at dawn to fly the American flag on every holiday. I didn't hear how important college was but on road trips I would hear, "Gee, you could go to college here." It was a "where" and not an "if."
University of Michigan Study
Moms and dads teach by example. And, as in my case, it isn't what they say but what they do. A long-term study by the University of Michigan shows that there is a gap between boys and girls in the math and science fields. Pamela Davis-Kean, a psychologist at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research says, "We've known for a while now that females do as well as males on tests that measure ability in math and science. But, women are still underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math graduate programs and in careers based on those disciplines."
Dads Views Are Very Important
Kean recently presented a study on how parents' values affect children. Again, it is not what parents say but what parents do. Kean discovered that parents tend to give boys more math and science toys which encourages them to pursue science. [University of Michigan, sciencedaily.com, June 25, 2007] The subconscious keeps score and tells girls that math and science are for boys, not girls. The more fathers encourage sons to pursue math and science, the less daughters are interested in math and science.
Male and Female Colleges
It saddens me that upper level same-sex colleges are going co-ed due to enrollment pressures. Not only to boys learn differently than females, being apart is a plus for both. In a same gender environment, boys focus on male interests and girls pursue male dominated fields at a higher rate. Without the distractions of the other gender, both excel higher academically. Top schools like Randolph-Macon Woman's College are going co-ed from enrollment pressure. Unfortunately, by doing this, they become just another college.
Related articles: Science And No Child Left Behind
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Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
