Gender Differences in Mathematics: Are Boys and Girls Equal?

Graduation Date

Spring 1997

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Document Form

Print

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program Name

Education

Abstract

This paper explores the existence of a gender gap in the subject of Mathematics. Boys consistently score higher on national achievement tests and have much higher enrollment numbers in scientific and technological majors in college than their female counterparts. Where does the problem begin? Is it biological? Are the male and female brains wired differently so that the male brain can simply comprehend mathematical concepts with more ease? Or is the problem environmental? Is it the way parents raise their children that is the difference? How teachers are presenting the information easier for one sex to grasp than the other is? Does society, in general, have stereotypical expectations that lock boy and girl children into certain roles? Are girl children really able to play with trucks or are boy children feel comfortable playing house or taking music lessons? These are all questions that are explored here and some are answered but there is no simple solution or quick fix.

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