Boys are better at physics then girls ...

81 replies

SmellsLikeTeenStrop · 11/05/2011 13:31

according to dd1s science teacher.

I was at her parents evening last night and we were discussing why in some modules dd1 does brilliantly and in others she does adequately. It just so happened that in the module she scored most highly was a biology one and from that he said ''this might sound a little bit sexist but girls are better at biology, and boys do better at the physics side of things''.

No you arsehole, that was a lot sexist - I didn't say that but I thought it but I did point out to him that there is a lot of cultural conditioning which pushes girls towards biology while trying to dissuade them from doing anything mathematical and physics related. He then quickly changed the subject.

I'm really tempted to speak to the head about this, would that be an over-reaction?

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Original poster

SmellsLikeTeenStrop · 11/05/2011 14:24

Ok, I bit the bullet and phoned the school. The head will be calling be back some time tomorrow as he isn't in school today, so I have plenty of time to prepare.

Ultimately what it comes down to is that I don't want my daughter to be allowed to struggle in a class because it's thought that as she's a girl she's just not good at that particular subject. I don't know if this teachers attitude is reflected in his class, or if it's widespread in the school but I am going to find out.

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meditrina · 11/05/2011 13:45

If you think his attitude is reflected in his teaching, or is widespread in the school, then yes I think you should speak to the head. The more the school can do to combat this, and raise expectations all round, the better.

But I found OP interesting. It's possible the teacher is describing (accurately, sadly) what he sees by the time the children are that age (I'm assuming well into secondary school). This means that the conditioning you refer to in the 2nd paragraph of OP has already happened, and that therefore the place to counteract it is somewhat earlier in the school career. Another reason to go to the head of science or head teacher - this may be better tackled in years 6-7.

Straight2Extremes · 11/05/2011 13:45

I don't think he is doing any children he is working with any favours rather than helping them in their weaker subjects he he explaining it as girls do better in biology, boys do better in physics.

queenofthecapitalwasteland · 11/05/2011 13:36

what an idiot! if that's the attitude he's teaching with, it's no wonder boys do better, he probably focuses on them!

chibi · 11/05/2011 13:35

do it please

i am a science teacher and i hate that crap

these crappy attitudes need challenging, especially maybe when they are coming from people who otherwise 'mean well'

Original poster

SmellsLikeTeenStrop · 11/05/2011 13:32

Bah, that should have been ''boys are naturally better at physics then girls''.

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