Cultivating “Grits” for STEM: Contrarian Perspectives of Parents on Failure and Expectations of Gendered Norms

• In Event: Roundtable Session 22
  In Roundtable Session: Supporting Adolescents in School: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Many stakeholders from across educational, economic, and legislative institutions are involved in broadening STEM. Within this context, the role of parents in furthering children’s progress in STEM has been relatively less understood. Using a case study analysis, this investigation focused on unraveling the uncommon and exceptional actions of parents whose children demonstrate successful entry into the STEM pipeline. Purposefully limited to a specific group of parents (n=39; fathers=18; mothers=21), this study revealed how parents utilized the notions of failure and gender appropriate norms in unconventional and contrarian ways. In juxtaposition to generally construed views about parent engagement, the findings offer a glimpse into outstanding early and middle childhood practices of parents that may be responsible for building resilience for STEM.

Author

• Rashmi Kumar, University of Pennsylvania