According to USA Today, the gender gap regarding SAT performance remains disproportionate. As of 2009, on average, males outperformed females in most testing sections, especially math, where males outscored females (534 to 499). The gap tightened in regards to critical reading, where males outscored females by a mere five points (503 to 498). However, the one area where females outscored males was on the writing portion (499 to 486). The findings of the article bring up an interesting point discussed by Howard Gardner in his “Theory of Multiple Intelligences.” Gardner analyzes how different forms of intelligence are stronger in different individuals. One area he does not examine is the role that gender plays in this theory. Perhaps females are more advanced in linguistic intelligence, while males score higher in logical-mathematical intelligence. It is even suggested by some scholars that as well as an intellectual difference in the brain, there is a mindset difference. This means that women focus on nurturing and caring, while men focus on being the leader.
Questions for the Reader: What does mean for social standings in society? Could this in some way attribute to different roles in society performed by the different genders? What does this mean for the argument posed by some sociologists that men and women are equal in abilities?
Boys & Girls: Do you think that this statistic is true? If so, does it change your idea about your sex's abilities or the opposite sex's abilities? How so?
Boys & Girls: Do you think that this statistic is true? If so, does it change your idea about your sex's abilities or the opposite sex's abilities? How so?
Link to the Article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-08-25-SAT-scores_N.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment