A study by the University of Kent has found that girls as young as four perceive themselves as cleverer, more successful, and harder working than boys. This perception persists until at least age seven or eight, when boys also adopt this view. Researchers argue that teachers' lower expectations of boys may be a contributing factor to this phenomenon.
The study, presented at the British Educational Research Association's conference, involved questioning 238 children aged between four and 10. Researchers found that girls consistently believed they were cleverer, more successful, and harder working than boys, while boys were initially evenly divided but eventually came to share this view.
Researchers also conducted an experiment in which they told one group of children that boys do not perform as well as girls. The boys in this group performed significantly worse in maths, reading, and writing tests compared to those in a control group.
Lead researcher Bonny Hartley argues that teachers should be discouraged from using language or practices that reinforce lower expectations of boys. This may include phrases like 'silly boys' or 'schoolboy pranks', which can perpetuate the stereotype that boys are less focused and able than girls.
The study's findings are based on detailed questioning of 238 children aged between four and 10. The researchers presented the pupils with statements such as 'this child is really clever' and 'the teacher is taking the register and this child sits very quietly'. They asked the children which the statement best fitted – a picture of a girl or one of a boy.