Gender Inequality in High School.

Gender inequality was once an issue in high school classrooms. However it does not seem to be a problem today. There have been studies that show boys get more attention, but from personal experience I have not noticed that.

In an attempt to end this discrimination Congress passed Title IX in 1972. This was a set of amendments that stated "no person in the US shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal aid". (Huang and Ring) Teachers were trained to be more aware of whom they were calling on and giving attention to. After asking a question in class, teachers were encouraged to wait an extended time so everyone could think of the answer before someone answered the question. This was done to encourage more girls to speak up and participate in class. A later study would show that this did not solve the problem of gender inequality in the classroom. (Cotten, Joehnck and Nyhaug)

A study conducted in 1991 by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) showed that both boys and girls have the same learning abilities in all subjects. This contradicted the stereotype that boys were better at math and science, while girls were better at reading and writing. This study also showed that in general teachers give more attention to boys than girls. In class teachers called on boys four times more than girls. Whenever a girl cannot answer a difficult question the teacher is more willing to just give her the answer. However if I boy cannot answer that same question, the teacher is more likely to help them work through the problem and encourage them to think it through. Boys were also praised more for participating and contributing to class, while teachers commented on the girls' good behavior and social skills. (Cotten, Joehnck and Nyhaug)

It is also assumed that girls do not use technology and computers as much as boys. Girls use computers more for research and learning, while boys use them more for games. More software and programs are designed for boys than girls. Computer technology is also thought of as a 'man's domain' which might scare girls off from using it. If there were more female role models girls might seem to be more interested in using computers. (Ford 42-43)

Another area with inequality in schools is in sports and activities. With the passage of Title IX schools were required to give girls more opportunities in physical education and extra-curricular activities. This caused the number of female athletes in schools to increase from 7% to 35%. (Huang and Ring) Even today though it seems there are always more fans of boy sports than girl sports. Boys are always believed to be more athletic and competitive. Girl sports are not given as much attention and recognition as boy's. Boy's sports and activities receive more money and support from schools than girl teams. (Huang and Ring)

I feel that this research is outdated and one sided. It seems that in general girls get more positive attention in classrooms for paying attention and participating, while boys get in trouble for disrupting class. I think that boys and girls use computers equally. Boys use them more for games, but if there were more games geared towards girls then I they could be used more equally. Gender inequality was a problem, but things have improved today.