EXPLORATORY STUDY OF FAMILY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE CHOICE OF STUDIES IN FEMALE ENGINEERING STUDENTS

The data shows that there are few women in STEM degrees, and this is one of the biggest challenges facing educational systems. In this context, the main objective of this paper is to present the results of a broader investigation that, among others, has aimed to analyse the influence of perceived family support and barriers in women who study engineering grades at a Spanish university. The life stories of 13 students have been used to find the main life events that have an influence on academic and career decisions. Likewise, 3 focus groups were held with some of these students to discuss, collectively, about common vital events that were decisive in their vocational choices. It was revealed that several factors contribute to the student's academic emic choice, and the family was a socializing environment that assists or determines the choice. Our results confirm that games and out-of-school activities chosen by the family, when students were children, have an important influence. It is also concluded that the family is an essential support in the crucial moments surrounding the choice of STEM degree. The data also shows that many students have had family members who have studied, or who work in the field of engineering.