Pipeline Dreams: The STEMM Aspirations of High School Girls in Delhi

The article traces the evolution of interests, choices and goals of high school girls in Delhi, India, as they pursue academic aspirations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM). It aims to understand the complex ways in which girls’ aspirations are shaped and translated into appropriate higher education choices, and if and how aspiration formation is gendered. Through in-depth case studies and thematic analysis, we forefront the participants’ experiences of navigating stereotypes associated with certain subjects, loneliness in male-dominated classrooms and lower self-confidence. With the expansion of educational opportunities, we also look into the effect of parental influence, investment and expectations on young girls’ ‘self-fashioning’ and academic identities. The study shows that with the evolving position of daughters in an Indian family, increasing value is placed on their education and career outcomes. Socio-economic backgrounds and current trends in STEMM education define the limits to girls’ aspirations. Ultimately, the narratives in this study reflect the collective nature of decision-making and dream-building in India.