Impact of familial support on a high school female student’s academic journey in stem disciplines in lahore, pakistan

Abstract

The following research investigates how familial support influences female students' academic journey in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines in Pakistan. Using a mixed-methods approach, surveys and unstructured interviews were conducted with high school girls among different schools in Lahore. The findings reveal that while patriarchal norms persist, many families, especially in urban middle-class households, are increasingly supportive of their daughters’ STEM ambitions. However, societal pressures, traditional career expectations, and lack of female role models continue to pose significant challenges for girls in Pakistan.