The feminisation of school hypothesis called into question among junior and high school students

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_466D84136BB2
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The feminisation of school hypothesis called into question among junior and high school students
Journal
British Journal of Educational Psychology
Author(s)
Verniers C., Martinot D., Dompnier B.
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2016
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
86
Number
3
Pages
369-381
Language
english
Abstract
Background
The feminisation of school hypothesis suggests that boys underachieve in school compared to girls because school rewards feminine characteristics that are at odds with boys' masculine features.
Aims
The feminisation of school hypothesis lacks empirical evidence. The aim of the present study is to test this hypothesis by examining the extent to which school demands are actually associated with female more than male students.
Sample and Method
A large sample of 1954 students (1115 girls and 839 boys) from grades seven, nine, 10 and 12 took part in the study. The participants were asked to rate the extent to which various characteristics valued in the school setting were exhibited by girls or boys who succeed in school.
Results
Three sets of characteristics related to school success emerged from the analyses: compliance, assertiveness and effort/intelligence. Compliance and effort/intelligence were associated with the girls more than with the boys, while assertiveness was associated with the boys more than with the girls.
Conclusion
The feminisation of school hypothesis received weak support. The present study discusses the limits of this hypothesis to explain boys' underachievement in comparison to girls.
Create date
19/02/2016 22:58
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:51
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