Boys vs Girls

In an article entitled, “Why boys achieve less at school than girls: the difference between boys' and girls' academic culture,” the author, Mieke Van Houtte, claims that girls are more motivated than boys when it comes to school. She/he blames it on the gender specific stereotypes that our society has on girls and boys. For example, it wouldn’t be “cool” for a boy to make good grades and that it’s okay for girls to be cool and smart. Also, his/her main point is backed up by several tests taken. I completely disagree with his claim. From personal experience, I’ve seen a lot of both ends of the spectrum.  The majority of the academically motivated people I know are boys. I also know a lot of motivated girls too. But at the same time, I’ve seen some pretty lazy girls and boys.

                One thing I think that Mr. (or Ms.) Van Houtte needs to consider is that boys and girls have mostly different personalities that cause them to learn in different ways. Boys are more energetic and have a shorter attention span, while girls (most of the time) are more reserved and can pay attention to something a lot longer.  So if you want boys to be successful, then have a lot of hands on stuff and don’t have.

                In regards to the whole “culture” and stereotype thing, I think that the fact that our society has those kinds of stereotypes is a bit ridiculous. A person should not be affected by the way our society views intelligence. If that’s the case, then you have a problem. Girls and boys should have the same amount of motivation to do well. I mean, just because we have physical differences doesn’t mean we can’t academically do as well as each other. That is “so dumb, fo real” (Sorry if you don’t get that allusion).  

                I think that it all boils down to Carol Dweck’s obsession: MINDSETS. You cannot sit here and tell me that more girls have the growth mindset than boys do.  Someone of the growth mindset will “obviously” do better in the classroom. So basically, what I’m trying to say is, gender does not matter. 

He said...She said...

MALCOLM:

                Malcolm is obsessed with “Outliers.” Those are people who stand out of the norm of something. He talks about Asian math students and some computer whizzes as being outliers.  He thinks that these people who are very successful are not naturals, but rather hard workers who take advantages of extraordinary opportunities. For example, he tells the story of Marita, a girl who escaped the life of poverty and applied for the prestigious KIPP School.  According to Malcolm, there could be several “Maritas” out there, but not all of them took advantages of good opportunities. 

DWECK: 

                Dweck is all about Mindsets. Are you a growth mindset or a fixed mindset? While I read that book, I asked myself that question several times. Anyways, the growth mindset is someone who can build off success or failure. On the other hand, the fixed mindset is someone who just gives up per se, or gives little effort after success; they think that intelligence is something permanent.  She uses the example of someone getting a bad grade on a paper, then being blown off by a friend, etc. She then asks the reader how they would handle it. The growth mindset  would just say I can do a lot better and realize that maybe their friend was busy, while the fixed mindset would say,” I’m so dumb,” or something along those lines.

THE CONNECTION and MY OPINION:

                Honestly, I don’t see much of a connection between the two authors’ opinions.  It seems like Malcolm was just trying to get a book on the NY Times Best-Seller List. I think that Dweck is pretty logical and reasonable. The two mindsets are very relevant to society today.  I also think that Malcolm was just trying to make one of those “feel good” books, whereas Dweck gives the good and the bad.  Also, I think that part of the reason I think that I like Mindset more is because I can relate to it. I am definitely not an “outlier,” however, I have had my growth and fixed mindset moments. Don’t get me wrong, Malcolm’s points sound logical, but overall, Dweck wins this battle.