How Can We Break Down Stereotypes in the Media for Women in STEM?

The media has long shaped social norms and stereotypes, and social media is now amplifying that influence. For decades, this has made it harder to encourage women in STEM. Think back to almost any popular scripted TV show or sitcom. The nerdy character is a familiar cliché: he dresses badly, has no friends, is always studying and is painfully socially awkward. The trope is especially damaging when this character is a boy who can’t talk to girls, as though girls are obviously not interested in science or in being smart. This stereotype has shaped how people see science for years. It reinforced the idea that girls don’t belong in STEM, because why would a girl be interested in something like that? It also teaches young girls not to pursue careers or follow their passions, because that isn’t what is expected of them. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media found that media representation has a significant impact on interest in STEM fields, especially since many young girls cannot relate to the STEM characters they see.

Even though this sounds bleak, there are ways to pave the road to a better future. It starts with a word that people often take at surface level: representation. Representation does not mean putting a token woman scientist on screen. It means making sure there are women of colour in STEM fields for young girls to look up to. It means writing characters who are more than their careers, so that someone can be the top scientist and also love fashion or art. It means promoting the message that science has no gender or racial barrier, and that anyone can pursue it and excel with hard work and dedication. With more role models and more authentic representation on their screens, young girls can begin to cultivate an interest in STEM, which is essential for their success.

Some shows are already leading the way. Project Mc², Ada Twist, Scientist, SciGirls, Emily’s Wonder Lab and Doc McStuffins, among others, feature girls and women who solve problems with their knowledge and skills. These are exactly the kind of portrayals we need to show more girls that they belong in STEM.

We also need to stop influencers and social media trends from dictating restrictive values to the next generation. One current trend is the “tradwife”, a wider movement of women returning to traditional roles. Individual lifestyle choices should always be respected. But when algorithms push these traditional roles as the one right option, they can narrow what young girls think is possible. Young people on social media are especially open to the opinions of strangers online, and these messages can shape their sense of what their lives should look like. They may discourage girls from pursuing what they actually want to do.

That is why representation has to extend to social media too. There should be a movement encouraging women in STEM to share their achievements and career paths online. Social media can be a powerful tool for inspiring young girls and connecting them with experts and opportunities. We just need to tap into it.

Breaking down stereotypes therefore has a critical catalyst: representation. When girls see the endless possibilities open to them, they will be all the more motivated to pursue careers in STEM and in any other field. Representation is not an easy path, but it is a vital one if we want lasting change.