Pupils do worse at schools with rigid gender stereotypes

The researchers spent four years studying about 6,000 students and 1,000 teachers in the first year of about 50 secondary schools. They found that conservative views on gender had the biggest effect on boys. “From the start of secondary school, there is increasing pressure on boys to conform to the stereotypical macho image,” Ghent researcher Wendelien Vantieghem told public broadcaster VRT.

Boys who commit to their studies are often less popular, so many feel pressured by their friends to misbehave, which leads to conflicts with teachers. This is one of the reasons why boys do less well academically than girls and more often have to repeat a year or leave school without a diploma.

Girls also feel uncomfortable if they are pressured to behave  in a very stereotypically girlish way. Those with hobbies traditionally considered “masculine”, like football, often get negative reactions from others.

The researchers emphasise the importance of a good gender policy, with schools instigating discussions on what is typically “masculine” or “feminine” and taking co-ordinated action against bullying.

Photo: Ingimage