More kids than ever are drawing scientists as women—and it’s giving us hope
A viral study that’s making waves across social media is reminding us that representation matters, especially at a time when many feel like we’re moving backward. The research, published in Child Development in March of 2018, reveals a powerful shift in how children envision scientists, offering a glimpse of progress in gender equality.
The numbers tell a story of change
The analysis, which looked at five decades of children’s drawings, shows a remarkable transformation:
A staggering 99.4% of children in the 1960s and 70s couldn’t even imagine a woman in a lab coat—out of 5,000 drawings, only 28 depicted female scientists.
We’ve made progress, but it’s not enough: Even by 2016, only about one-third of children’s drawings showed female scientists.
Our youngest girls start out believing in themselves: A powerful 70% of 6-year-old girls draw scientists who look like them.
But something heartbreaking happens: By age 16, only 25% of girls still picture women in science—watching their own possibilities shrink before our eyes.
And our boys’ vision of science remains stubbornly male: While 17% of 6-year-old boys can imagine a female scientist, by high school, that number plummets to an alarming 2%—perpetuating the cycle for another generation.
Why this matters for our daughters
These statistics aren’t just numbers—they reflect the real challenges our children face as they grow up:
The teenage years become a minefield of doubt: Just when our daughters should be soaring, they’re bombarded with messages about who they’re “supposed” to be.
Society’s expectations close in like walls: Our brilliant, capable girls suddenly find themselves navigating a world that questions their every STEM achievement.
Social media becomes a double-edged sword: For every inspiring female scientist on their feed, there are dozens of subtle messages suggesting science is “for boys.”
The confidence gap becomes a chasm: Watch any middle school science fair, and you’ll see it—brilliant girls second-guessing themselves while less-prepared boys charge ahead with unearned confidence.
Related: 7 easy ways to introduce STEM education to your kids
What’s driving the change?
Lead researcher David Miller points to several factors behind the increasing representation of female scientists in children’s drawings:
More women are entering scientific fields.
Media representation has improved, with more female scientists featured in children’s magazines and TV shows.
Educational initiatives are working to challenge gender stereotypes early.
What parents can do to support their daughters’ STEM interests
To help maintain girls’ confidence and interest in science through the crucial teenage years:
Fill their world with possibility: Surround them with stories of women breaking barriers in science—from Marie Curie to modern-day pioneers in their own communities.
Be their fierce defender: When someone suggests science is “for boys,” be the voice that says, “Actually, science is for brilliant minds like my daughter’s.”
Make your home a stereotype-free zone: Create a space where curiosity knows no gender and questions are celebrated, not silenced.
Turn STEM into family time: Whether it’s kitchen chemistry experiments or backyard stargazing, show them that science is part of their daily life.
Build their support network: Connect them with female mentors who’ve walked this path and can show them what’s possible.
Celebrate every hypothesis: Whether the experiment succeeds or fails, praise their scientific thinking—because that’s how real scientists learn.
Related: 15 STEM kits for innovative kids of all ages
Why this matters now
While this 2018 study has recently gone viral on social media, its message resonates perhaps even more strongly today. As we navigate conversations about gender equality and representation, these drawings offer both hope and a call to action.
“This is a critical period in which kids are learning stereotypes,” Miller explains. The dramatic drop in female scientist drawings between ages 6 and 16 shows us exactly when and how these stereotypes take hold—and gives us a chance to intervene.
Looking forward
The change in children’s drawings over five decades shows us that progress is possible. But the persistent drop in female representation during the teenage years reminds us that our work isn’t done. By understanding when and how gender stereotypes affect our children, we can better support the next generation of scientists—regardless of their gender.
Because every time a young girl draws herself in a lab coat, she’s not just creating art—she’s imagining her future. And it’s our job to help make that future possible.
Sources:
The Development of Children’s Gender-Science Stereotypes. Society for Research in Child Development. The Development of Children’s Gender-Science Stereotypes: A Meta-analysis of 5 Decades of U.S. Draw-A-Scientist Studies.
