Monday, May 26, 2003
Affirmative Action for Boys
I listened to an interesting segment on 60 Minutes last night. It raiised the issue that girls are doing better than boys in every level of the education system from elementary through college. Girls are going to college at higher rates than boys. Going to business, law and medical schools at much higher rates than boys. The problem is becoming so severe that some colleges have started affirmative action for boys to increase the number of boys. I am wondering how people feel about this?
It doesn't bother me because I am a believer in increased diversity in education system and gender is important part of diversity.
Some say boys are doing bad because of the influence of feminism. Boys are getting punished for acting like boys in school (more active, rambumptios) and girls are rewarded for acting like a girl would normaly act. Also girls are constantly being told they can do anything and get a lot of enouragement while boys haven't been getting this kind of reinforcement. Some say the problem is that most teachers are women and the women teachers are favoring girls.
Boys and girls are different and respond differently to different teaching methods and curriculums. In all boy classes designed for boys they do better than in mixed sex classes. The raises the question that mixed sex classes have been catered to girls and girl behavior, what I said earlier punishing boys for being boys.
If boys aren't getting into college based on merrit sbould they get any preference? If you say "no" and colleges are already doing it do you have a problem with it? Does it bother you as much as affirmitive action for minorities?
I listened to an interesting segment on 60 Minutes last night. It raiised the issue that girls are doing better than boys in every level of the education system from elementary through college. Girls are going to college at higher rates than boys. Going to business, law and medical schools at much higher rates than boys. The problem is becoming so severe that some colleges have started affirmative action for boys to increase the number of boys. I am wondering how people feel about this?
It doesn't bother me because I am a believer in increased diversity in education system and gender is important part of diversity.
Some say boys are doing bad because of the influence of feminism. Boys are getting punished for acting like boys in school (more active, rambumptios) and girls are rewarded for acting like a girl would normaly act. Also girls are constantly being told they can do anything and get a lot of enouragement while boys haven't been getting this kind of reinforcement. Some say the problem is that most teachers are women and the women teachers are favoring girls.
Boys and girls are different and respond differently to different teaching methods and curriculums. In all boy classes designed for boys they do better than in mixed sex classes. The raises the question that mixed sex classes have been catered to girls and girl behavior, what I said earlier punishing boys for being boys.
If boys aren't getting into college based on merrit sbould they get any preference? If you say "no" and colleges are already doing it do you have a problem with it? Does it bother you as much as affirmitive action for minorities?
