This article was originally published in July 2017.
In May 2017, Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark, leader of the Human Capabilities Program at the Life Course Centre, discussed her research ‘Gender gaps in early education achievement’ with ABC’s Life Matters presenter Amanda Smith.
It is generally thought that girls outperform boys in literacy, and boys outperform girls in maths and science. Cobb-Clark explains that it isn’t quite that simple. Differences in aptitude and preferences between genders is highly nuanced.
Some gender differences are a result of societal expectations and culture rather than being genetic. She found that in the grade 3 NAPLAN testing the gender gap is more obvious in lower socio-economic groups, and closes in children from families with a higher income. And she suggested that girls were better prepared for school
Cobb-Clark adds that it is as much about behaviour as aptitude; girls are better at turning in assignments on time, following directions and sitting still, so the type of classroom setting can give girls an advantage, too.
You can hear this fascinating discussion in full, here.