During my first semester in college, I enrolled in calculus 101, a subject I had enjoyed in high school. I believed that with regular attendance, adequate studying, and completing assignments, I could succeed. I was wrong; I flunked my first test with a D.
After a challenging semester and barely scraping a C with the help of a tutor, I concluded that I simply wasn’t a “math person.” I switched my major to Spanish and avoided math classes altogether. My experience is far from unique; many students find collegiate-level math daunting. But did I truly lack an affinity for math, or was I just afraid of the struggle and the possibility of failure?
In a recent piece in Scientific American, author Mia Thompson discusses how the American education system discourages kids from pursuing STEM fields by failing to teach them how to embrace failure. Unlike my college experience, she persevered through her challenges, learned to accept setbacks, and ultimately thrived in her scientific career.
While I’ve found fulfillment in my path—earning a law degree and becoming a writer—it makes me ponder: what if I hadn’t dismissed math and science so hastily? How many others are writing off their potential in STEM simply because they find it difficult?
Moreover, this fear of failure disproportionately affects girls and women. Reshma Patel, founder of Girls Who Code, highlights this in a compelling TED talk, stating that girls are raised to pursue perfection while boys are encouraged to take risks. She noted that girls are conditioned to play it safe, while boys are taught to leap into challenges headfirst. This cultural mindset leads to a significant disparity in risk-taking as adults.
This aversion to being imperfect, and the dread of failure, can be particularly detrimental in fields where innovation requires experimentation and the acceptance of setbacks. As Thompson points out, our societal discomfort with failure poses long-term risks for progress in STEM. The current immigration climate could further exacerbate this issue, as many of America’s scientists are foreign-born. With the increasing difficulties in immigration and visa policies, the future of American science may be jeopardized.
Interestingly, studies show that at the fifth-grade level, girls excel in all subjects, including STEM. However, by the time they reach adulthood, the pressure to be flawless can be overwhelming. For instance, research indicates that men will apply for a job if they meet only 60% of the qualifications, while women typically won’t apply unless they meet 100%. This aversion to imperfection hinders innovation and progress in STEM fields.
Encouraging Resilience in Children
So, how can we encourage our children, especially girls, to embrace risk and learn from failure? According to Thompson, cultivating resilience is key. Students who believe their intelligence can evolve are more likely to persist in their endeavors. Praising effort over innate talent plays a crucial role in this.
Additionally, we must model failure and imperfection for our children. This involves taking risks ourselves, failing occasionally, and demonstrating how to bounce back. Sharing our own struggles and vulnerabilities allows children to see that failure is a normal part of the learning process. Thompson credits much of her resilience to mentors who shared their own setbacks, reminding her that failure is not the end.
Discussing failures openly can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential. Most of us would prefer to maintain the facade of invincibility, but that’s simply unrealistic. By leading by example and showing others that it’s okay to stumble, we give them permission to do the same. This opens the door to progress, innovation, and authenticity.
Our children deserve that kind of support—and so do we. If you’re interested in learning more about the journey to parenthood, check out our couples fertility journey for intracervical insemination. For those looking for a comprehensive kit, consider exploring the at-home insemination kit that can provide essential tools. The Mayo Clinic also offers great insights into pregnancy and insemination options.
In summary, fostering a culture of resilience and acceptance of failure is vital in encouraging children, especially girls, to pursue STEM fields. By modeling this behavior and discussing our own imperfections, we can empower the next generation to embrace challenges and innovate freely.
Keyphrase: Teaching kids about failure in STEM
Tags: “home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”