2006-07-27 15:02:01 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I know that it is not true, but I want to hear people's opinions.
2006-07-27 15:15:48 · update #1
This answer is all my opinion.
It's because they teach "boy" math in school.
Specifically, they focus on math that describes things moving around in space. For whatever reason, boys seem to find this stuff easier to visualize. My suspicion is that this is because they tend to play sports a lot from an early age and are used to seeing things like footballs moving through the air.
I read a study recently in which it was found that high school girls who played sports were indistinguishable from boys in math scores.
As a college math teacher, I've found that women are often better than men at math that is more symbolic. For example, if you invent some kind of system in which the relationships between things are very abstract, I find that female students had absolutely no trouble with the work. In fact, I imagine that in such systems, the inability to relate the math to geometric visualizations actually disadvantages male students.
I have no strong scientific basis for this, just what I've experienced.
2006-07-28 08:05:44 · answer #1 · answered by jpeg 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think that stereotype is not very popular at all among anyone who knows anything at all about math. Generally speaking, guys may be slightly better at math than girls, but that doesn't necessarily make girls bad at it. I have taken several math classes, and I can honestly say that I have never seen even one girl or woman discouraged from studying math. Never. Many people just assume that girls are discriminated against (because of some stereotype) because slightly fewer girls are interested in math than guys. Nobody seems to consider that maybe there's something genetic that makes people enjoy different subjects better than others. The "crisis" surrounding girls' performance in math is a fable created by desperate politicians and paranoid feminists, if you ask me. Good luck in your studies!
2006-07-27 15:16:35 · answer #2 · answered by anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm a 2nd grade teacher (I've also taught 4th, 5th, and 6th), and it just seems that the boys appreciate math more. I think that is why it seems they are better at it. They just enjoy it more. The girls seem to enjoy reading more. Of course, there are exceptions. But, it does seem that no matter how hard I try to challenge this stereotype and invite the girls to get into the math, the boys are always more into it and more interested. I don't know why, but have witnessed it.
2006-07-27 15:08:25 · answer #3 · answered by makingthisup 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I usually have honors math classes, which are full of girls. I opted to take a regular math class, where there were more boys. Surprise, Surprise, the boys were great in math. Guys are just more technical , without trying and nomatter how smart a girl is, there will always be a guy 10 times smarter. I hate to admit it. I'm a girl.
2006-07-27 15:21:20 · answer #4 · answered by nicnic 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when you discuss this topic objectively I think that it is important to consider one s performance as an individual and as part of a gender group. I have seen many accomplished individual performances in math by both genders. I don t believe there is an argument there. when we consider the matter under a slightly different paradigm, such as gender groups, one may see trends in performance on a group basis . some of the experiences of , say , the 2nd grade teacher above (makingthisup) suggests there is some basis that "as a group" males have a math skill that exceeds females" as a group". This statement still leaves room for the individual performance of a one person to have greater skill than another, gender aside.
2016-05-17 09:12:46 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im the best with math in my class and Im a girl..... so.... that's SO not true....... right now Im on vacations tho so don't make any wierd questions. thanks
And. Ive always loved math.... hm
It could b because Im left-handed tho. It afects the side of the brain u use and as we all know, or might not know the side that controls math and arts is on the other side of those of reading and writting. Of course I don't know all of the brains functions and I don't know anything that's EXACT... so... that's as far as I go with my info *nod nod*
2006-07-27 15:14:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not a stereotype...typically, most females are better at English, Writing, and Spelling than Math. It's a genetic thing. Let us know if you find any statistics....please share.
2006-07-27 15:06:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that it is largely a culturally driven, societal issue. Young girls generally speaking are encouraged to be reflective, thoughtful, and gravitate towards creative areas in language, arts, etc. On the other hand, boys are mostly taught to be less emotional, cunning, and to focus on areas that involve calculation. There does not appear to be any "genetic" influence on the abilities of either sex to be good at mathematics.
2006-07-27 15:29:08 · answer #8 · answered by Gene Guy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The sterotype is there because men *tend* to excel at math and women *tend* to excel in other subjects.
But then again, women and girls aren't usually encouraged in the area either.
But I'm female, and I got a 700 math score on my SAT, so not all of us are bad at it....
2006-07-27 15:06:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is there a stereo type? Huh..funny....I was a math wiz when I was in school.....was always the top of the class....
2006-07-27 15:07:12 · answer #10 · answered by Sharlala 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋