Believe Quote by Eileen Pollack
“Given that many girls are indoctrinated to believe that they should be feminine and modest about their abilities, as well as brought up to assume that girls are not innately gifted at science or math, it is not surprising that so few can see themselves as successful computer scientists.”
About This Quote
Source Article: “Why Women Don’t Apply” in The New York Times, 2015
Societal messages discourage girls from seeing themselves in STEM, limiting their self‑belief and career choices.
In simple terms: Girls are told they’re not good at science, so they doubt themselves.
Key Takeaway
Challenge stereotypes early.
Themes
gender bias
self‑belief
STEM education
Mood
hopeful
determined
Type
educational
advocacy
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- parental guidance
- career counseling
- mentoring programs
Key Concepts
sociology
education policy
Questions to Reflect On
- What can schools do to boost confidence?
- How can families reinforce STEM interest?
A Different Perspective
Changing messages alone isn’t enough without structural support.
