Study Reveals Mothers' Math Anxiety Affects Children's Skills

A comprehensive British study has found that approximately 60% of participants exhibit low mathematical skills, with a notable gender disparity. The findings indicate that mothers' anxiety regarding mathematics negatively impacts their children's confidence and numerical abilities from an early age.

Gender Disparity

The study, which assessed 10,000 participants, revealed that 58% had low or very low mathematical skills, with a higher percentage among women (65%) compared to men (50%). Additionally, 27% of women scored "very low" in math, while only 16% of men did, highlighting a significant gender gap in numerical proficiency.

Impact of Mothers' Anxiety on Children

Results showed that mothers' confidence in helping their children with homework is lower than that of fathers (69% compared to 83%). According to researchers, the effects of this anxiety on girls begin as early as age eight, with the gender gap widening as they grow older.

The Richmond Project to Boost Confidence

This study is part of the Richmond Project, initiated by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, aimed at enhancing confidence in numerical skills. Sunak stated that confidence in mathematics is a crucial skill that affects both work and daily life, while Murthy emphasized the importance of preventing mothers' math anxiety from being passed on to their children to ensure the development of the next generation's skills.

Tips for Enhancing Children's Skills

Murthy encouraged parents to incorporate math into daily activities, such as cooking, solving puzzles, calculating purchases, and splitting bills, to strengthen children's numerical skills and confidence from a young age.