Stereotypes stop girls studying science subjects

Gender stereotypes and perceptions of difficulty are deterring girls from taking up science and technology subjects and careers, a survey suggests.

However, the survey also shows that most parents are ill-equipped to advise their daughters on careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

Technology consultants Accenture surveyed about 400 second-level girl students online, as well as more than 200 parents with daughters in second-level education, the same number of teachers, and 150 woman aged 18 to 23. Almost half of current students felt the subjects are more suited to males than females.