Outline some of the reasons for the educational under-achievement of boys. (12 marks)
Firstly, one reason for the educational under-achievement of boys is due to the result of boys’ poorer literacy and language skills. One could argue that this has occurred through parents spending less time reading to their sons and also due to mothers who spend the most time reading to young children, it is seen as a feminine activity. In addition, boys’ leisure pursuits, such as football and computer games, do little to help develop their language and communication skills.
Another reason for the educational under-achievement of boys is because of globalisation and the decline of traditional men’s jobs. As a result of this, many boys now believe that they have little prospect of getting a proper job which undermines their motivation and self-esteem so they give up trying to get qualifications.
Additionally, the feminisation of education is another important reason for the educational under-achievement in boys. It can be argued that boys fall behind because education has become more ‘feminised’. This is because school do not nurture ‘masculine’ traits such as competiveness and leadership and instead they celebrate qualities more associated with girls such as attentiveness is class.
Moreover, another reason for the educational under-achievement of boys could be due to the shortage of male primary school teachers. This is because there is an increasing lack of strong positive male role models bot at home and at school for young boys to look up to and aspire to be like.
Lastly, the growth of ‘laddish’ subcultures has contributed to educational under-achievement of boys. It is said that working-class boys are more likely to be harassed, labelled as sissies and subjected to homophobic verbal abuse if they appear to be ‘swots’. Therefore, boys are less likely to want to do well