When my daughter was five, she had a very clear idea of what her future held. She wanted to be an astronaut and sell used cars on weekends. And, like most parents, we smiled and said, “That sounds like a great plan.”

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” takes on new meaning in high school. It would be nice to think that teens are still hearing encouraging words, but that’s not always the case, especially for those interested in a path where their gender is in the minority.

opposites attract

Natasha, 16, from Windsor, Ont., is one of only three girls in her auto shop class. “I’ve always loved cars, and I like working with my hands.” But her parents weren’t entirely comfortable with her choice, at least not at first. “They were skeptical,” says Natasha. “It took a while for them to understand that I really wanted to do this and that I was good at it.”

That’s in spite of the time and money that’s been spent in recent years to encourage girls to consider non-traditional career paths. “Some girls are discouraged by the resistance that comes from parents, teachers, and even members of the chosen profession. The unfortunate fact is that most girls don’t know about opportunities in engineering careers,” says Dr. Monique Frize, a professor at Carleton University with a joint appointment at the University of Ottawa as well as a member of Ontario Women In Engineering.

“Kids also create their own idea of gender roles throughout their childhood,” says Dr. Kelvin Seifert, a professor and head of the department of educational psychology at the University of Manitoba. Kids often draw conclusions based on what they see around them — is their doctor, mechanic or childcare worker male or female?

shaking gender bias

Even in this diverse country, biases endure. Girls in technical trades may be viewed as butch, whereas boys in the helping professions may be considered effeminate. “When I chose auto shop, I was called to the office two times,” says Natasha. “They really wanted to make sure that I knew this was a “guy’ course, and just what I was getting into.” Her friends were equally puzzled. “They thought it was weird,” she says. “They’re more positive about it now.” The teen also believes her presence in the male-dominated class has helped her develop better friendships with the opposite sex.

Early exposure to equal gender representation definitely influenced Jeff Liebrock, 19, a pre-nursing student also from Windsor, Ont. “My mom was a single parent,” he says. “There were no boy jobs or girl jobs.” Liebrock’s goals fit with his interests in biology in high school and his desire to help people. “My parents have been supportive,” he says. “Their primary concern was that I get a job I like.”

Liebrock admits that men are in the minority in his college program — and the nursing profession — but dismisses the idea that it’s a female field. “A hundred years ago, most professional health care was administered by men.” He also believes that there hasn’t been the same level of effort to get boys to consider non-traditional paths. “Some of that is economic,” explains Seifert. “So-called female careers, like child care, often pay much less. No one wants to head an initiative that encourages people to choose lower-paying careers.” However, there has been progress. “Five to 10 percent of early-years teachers are now male, which is unprecedented, especially at the earliest grades such as preschool and kindergarten. Acceptance is growing.”

the best ways to support your teen

Parents can voice their concerns about their teens’ career goals, but need to reach a point where they let it go. “Ask questions about where your kid sees his life going,” suggests Liebrock. “But remember it’s your kid’s life.” Natasha adds, “A little adversity makes kids stronger.” Seifert says parental support also “helps kids get past shallow stereotypes about who should be doing what kind of job.”

And in a world inhabited by both sexes, it should by nature, be designed, serviced and nurtured by both men and women.

Freelance writer Shelley Divnich Haggert hopes her daughters grow up to be everything they want to be.

Keep reading for more on helping your teen find a summer job.