Can Boys Do Better?
Can Boys Do Better?
Two decades ago, there was much positive educational action in favor of girls in order to overcome some of the limitations placed upon females by traditional and social convention. Today, girls have now begun to outperform boys in virtually every subject. While the recent success of girls is to be commended and welcomed, there is now a growing concern that young adult males are at a greater risk than females for poor achievement in middle and high school. Why is this happening at this point in time, and what can schools do to address the challenges boys face without having a negative effect on girls, is what I would like to explore in this paper.
Why do boys identified as underachievers or at risk for school failure often lack the drive and the internal motivation to press forward in academics and life? While they may have the ability to succeed, why do they sabotage themselves by not turning in homework, skipping classes, and not paying attention in class? Some drop out of school, while others go on to lead lives of underachievement and conflict. Is it that deep down inside, these boys don't believe in themselves, that they often lack a healthy sense of self and are at risk for school failure? To examine this issue from several angles I will be exploring the biological factors, social factors, and schooling factors that may contribute to adolescent boys' growing feelings of isolation, confusion and despair.
Biological factors: Boys' testosterone levels rise sharply between eleven and thirteen, causing a sudden growth that requires some rewiring of the nervous system (Neall 8). This rush of hormonal activity during the teen years often causes a great deal of restlessness in many boys. Their bodies are foreign to them, and often a source of embarrassment. Many boys direct their activity into the physical world of sports and working out at the gym.
Research into both human and animals show that testosterone...
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