Family influence and STEM career aspirations

The aim of this chapter is to discuss current research examining family influences on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) interests and career aspirations of their children. The role of science capital and family science habitus on the development of STEM interests is described. This is followed by a discussion of how parents, early childhood experiences, gender, and minoritization affect the STEM interests and career aspirations of children. The chapter concludes with current theoretical frameworks, models, and validated instruments that are used to assess family influences on STEM interests and aspirations.