What prevents boys from reading and Stem girls? Stereotypes

Key points:

When reflecting on the stereotypes faced by girls from the beginning, there is an equal but opposite reaction to their male companions. As we begin to break down the barriers to girls in Stem, we cannot ignore the difficult situation of children in reading, a fundamental ability that is based on each topic.

What research tells us about stereotypes in the classroom

We know that students have internalized opinions on performance in school subjects. A meta -analysis of studies, including data from 145,000 students in 33 nations, tells two notable truths:

1. At six years, boys already see girls as worse than boys in computing and engineering
2. Boys see girls as “much superior” in reading and writing for the eight years, a belief that is strengthened over time.

Read more about this meta -analysis and biases that reveals of American research institute.

What research tells us about our prejudices

This is a wonderful place to start, since many people quickly point out that equality has evolved from where it was once. However, biases at stake here are implicit biases, that is, they do not decide deliberately, but “they are supposed to be so deeply integrated into society that they are resistant to change” (Charlesworth, 2022).

Harvard researcher, Tessa is Charlesworth, begins her findings with an event by Walter Lippmann in 1922: “”There is nothing stubborn for education or criticism as the stereotype. “It is the first modern use of the word stereotypeTaken from the technology of the 1920s and representing what a print plate does: Duplicate the information to extend widely without changes. Charlesworth proposed extent How gender stereotypes have changed for a specific decade (2007-2018, in this case).

The implicit bias of men who coincide with career and science, while women coincide with the arts and family, respectively, has changed during the decade for better, that is, towards neutrality. However, certain regions in the United States have transferred to the father of gender neutrality, while other regions advance towards gender neutrality. The goal of eliminating harmful stereotypes is always moving, and students are suffering for it.

Do you have implicit gender bias? Discover Taking a test designed to measure bias.

Why do it matter if boys don't like to read and girls don't like mathematics

Each child will be attracted to their pet subjects. The problem occurs when the deep opinions of adults begin to influence the place where their orientation leads students as a population instead of an individual. Due to its implicit nature, it is difficult to even notice that someone has this type of bias; In fact, people can have a very deliberate and well -built equality philosophy and, nevertheless, make decisions functionally align with stereotypes without realizing it. While malicious educators certainly exist, we are talking about well -intentioned people who try to help all students succeed.

Understanding that there is implicit bias is the first step, but step two is to discover why it even matters. In summary, it is important because it is a scam, a trick, a hustle and bustle, and limits the potential before a student can decide their potential exists. While educators guide students along their way of learning to graduate (the realization of the potential!) It is not for educators to reduce any other path to enrichment.

So does Important if children reject reading because words and communication are girls' work. It matters not only because the back is the part of the margin of the girls of the Stem concerts that go well before reaching high school, but because the potential of children as narrators and caregivers deserves to be recognized and encouraged. The voices of boys deserve to be heard as much as girls deserve the opportunity to build a robot.

What can we do? Start examining their own explicit and implicit prejudices. It can be revealing! Remember, biases are not crimes, they are simply brain tricks that their neurons have connected over the years. Once prejudices know, observe how they appear during everyday life in school. Just look at the beginning, because noticing is the first step to undo bias. Soon, you will begin to catch yourself and maybe even undo that implicit bias little by little. Be Gentile with yourself during this process, because we are all doing our best to leave the world a better place.

Who would have thought that the waves of a more equitable society can begin in a storage library? Captain underpants And other titles so comfortable and disgusting that children could want to read?