The Impact of Gender Related Influences on the Reading Interests of Boys and Girls: An In-Service Education Project to Inform Teaching Practices
Graduation Date
Spring 2005
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program Name
Education
Program Director
Madalienne F. Peters, EdD
Abstract
In review of recent literature about the effects of gender on reading preference, it is apparent that there are important differences in the types of reading materials that interest boys and girls. In many ways, the patterns of book selection revealed by recent studies seem to mirror the stereotypes of what is considered masculine and feminine in our society. This starts at a very early age and the gap continues to widen as students get older. It is important for educators to understand the effects gender is having on student reading choices for a number of reasons. Knowledge on this topic will enable teachers to gain a better understanding for the reading interests of their students and the societal forces influencing those choices. Awareness of these patterns will provide teachers with insight into what interests and motivates their students when it comes to choosing literature for instruction in the classroom. Finally, becoming familiar with gendered reading preferences will lead to the establishment of a more balanced curriculum that reaches out to a wider range of students.