Little Molly and little Helmer go to kindergarten together. Ten years later, Molly’s report card is full of A’s, while Helmer has D’s and F’s. Why is this so? Is it because he is a boy?
On Friday, February 15, 2008 the San Francisco Chronicle in Education provided a teen news break titled Does America Have a “Boy Crisis”? According to the news break, girls perform better academically than guys. Also, guys seem to have a harder time getting admitted in to top colleges than girls.
According to the study conducted, compared to 100 females that are enrolled in college, only 77 males did. Though the study lacks a reason why this is the outcome, possibilities are drawn up by others.
“I do agree that more girls begin college than guys. I find this troubling and think it has to do with curriculum that is somewhat irrelevant to males, economic necessities- the need to earn money, and maturation levels,” Psychology teacher Wayne Reel said.
Reel further questions the term ‘intelligence,’ and what people think determines smarts.
“I believe that our definition of academic smartness is outdated because it does not consider the premise that there are multiple intelligences,” he said.
Some believe that this research is accurate.
“I know a lot of girls that have better GPA’s than me,” Freshman Jesus Ibarra said. Ibarra reflects on the factors that might make information true, “guys like to goof off in class and not pay attention,” he said.
Senior Stacy Zhong takes into account female generalizations.
“I think that generally, girls work harder and are more organized. Guys are not as dedicated,” she said. “Girls are more mature at a younger age so they can sit down and focus on work, and guys are usually bouncing off the walls.”
To some students, the study seems to be true only to a certain extent.
“That statistic may be true, but it does not translate into actual intellect in me,” said Senior Nick Chan.
Chan analyzes how family expectations play into this phenomenon.
“Guys have it easier than girls have it at home because the family isn’t as strict with guys in general,” he said.
Factors outside of school and of the home also seem to contribute to the disparity.
“Guys get into violence more and drop out,” said Freshman Miguel Padilla. “The majority of the girls stay in school.”
Despite this possibility, Padilla does not believe in the study results. “I don’t think that either female or male are smarter.”
Even though there are different reactions to the outcome of this study, there are those who do not think that gender, or any other demographic makes anyone smarter.
“I don’t believe that someone can be smarter than another person. I believe everyone is equally smart. If anything goes, everyone is equal,” said Freshman Danica Ontivoros.