Expert Explains Why Many People Struggle With Math: It’s Called ‘Math Trauma’

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Math often divides people into two camps—those who love it and those who claim they never will.And let’s face it, not everyone has fond memories of math class from their school years.

For many, math evokes flashbacks to stressful lessons, confusing concepts, and maybe even a few humiliating moments.

But now, there’s a new theory from a math professor that could explain why these feelings linger well into adulthood.

It turns out, your dislike for math might not just be about numbers.

According to this expert, it could stem from something deeper, known as ‘math trauma’.

Meet Viveka Vaughn, an associate professor in the mathematics department at Spelman College in Georgia.Her research dives into equity issues in math education and why so many people develop a lifelong struggle with the subject.

In a recent article, Vaughn shed light on the phenomenon she calls ‘math trauma’ and shared why more individuals might be dealing with it than you’d expect.

This brings back less than fond memoriesGetty Stock Image

What Is ‘Math Trauma’?

Vaughn begins her explanation with a relatable statement: “Whenever I inform people of my occupation, they are animated with a look of joy or misery as they remember their feelings for math—and it’s usually the latter.”

She continues, explaining that these experiences are more common than people might think: “They often regale me with stories of negative classroom experiences or encounters, usually involving a teacher embarrassing or ridiculing them in class.”

According to Vaughn, these negative encounters during math lessons often leave lasting impressions, shaping how people feel about math throughout their lives.

Vaughn connects these moments of embarrassment or ridicule directly to a student’s success in math. She describes how a harsh interaction in the classroom can impact confidence and hinder performance.She explains: “For me, math trauma is an event (or a sequence of events) where an educator or another person of authority chooses to embarrass, scorn, or deride students for their mistakes rather than celebrate their courage.”

Vaughn elaborates further, saying: “That math trauma is then triggered whenever they encounter a math problem or math conversation for the duration of their academic years. Even outside of school, they refuse to recognize daily habits such as balancing a checkbook, counting money, or estimating prices as practicing math.”

Nothing helps you learn math better than being shouted at in front of your peersGetty Stock Image
Before you start blaming your budget issues on ‘math trauma’, Vaughn makes it clear that this is her professional opinion, based on her extensive research and data.She also points out that the pandemic brought significant challenges to light within the education system.

For example, it highlighted how students with different needs might not always get the support required to excel in complex subjects like math.

Vaughn ends her discussion with a plea for educators: “Let us not be the reason students feel deterred or traumatized from pursuing math or another STEM subject.”She concludes by emphasizing a positive approach in the classroom: “We must encourage and acknowledge our students’ strengths whenever we can.”