to be annoyed about the attitude towards boys

[SplatterMustard]

Just that really, the assumption that if boys don't like reading or writing then they are being a typical boy. One of the teacher's at DS's school was talking about boys (not mine) and said 'what do you expect, he's a boy?' I've heard comments like that time and time again.

When did it become OK to be so down on boys?

[LittleLionMansMummy]

MrsD - Sebastian Faulks 'Birdsong'?

[BertrandRussell]

"The problem is some boys aren't reading enough and dictating what you'd like them to read will never help with that."

Why do you think I'm doing that when everything I'm posting is saying the exact opposite?

[KatieLatie]

There are certain characteristics common of boys and certain characteristics common of girls. However every child is an individual and a product of nature and nurture.

I have a boy (an active boy who is slower at ready, writing and drawing, but is gentle amd affectionate) and I wouldn't swap him for the world.

[BertrandRussell]

But the issue is boys/men reading books written by women and/or with female main characters. Women have always read books written by either gender and with men and women protagonists.

[BertrandRussell]

not to be constrained, obviously.

[BertrandRussell]

Washediris- why are you so keen to say that boys are not stereotyped or disadvantaged in any way? I really don't understand. I want boys to have as wide a range or reading material as girls do. I want them to to be constrained by stereotyping and social expectations to particular types of clothes, or books or behaviour or interests.

[LibrariesGaveUsP0wer]

I am basing it on people I know in the industry and what they've told me.i am sure there is staff put there though.

If I am wrong, well hurrah. Boys aren't disadvantaged (and nor are girls or female authors. Though I've been told I'm not allowed to mention their disadvantages, I guess that doesn't apply to ones that don't exist after all).

[slightlyglitterpaned]

If you look at @LetToysBeToys there are plenty of examples of companies labelling books as "for boys". In some cases against the publisher's wishes!

[BertrandRussell]

There still are books for girls and books for boys. And books for men and books for women. You only have to look at the covers!

[WoodHeaven]

When my dcs were little there was clearly the books for boys and the books for girls.
Oh the non fiction books that boys live and girls don't want to touch....

I found the same than micah. Dc2 didn't like to read (for pleasure) until he could read some much more complex books too.
What I'm now realising that that the fact no one picked up on dc2 struggle with comprehension might well be linked with the fact he is a boy and therefore 'won't be good at English'
I've also had a very hard time teaching dc1 to have a neat handwriting, nice presentation. He basically told me no one was expecting that from him at school... Which again I now wondering, maybe he had a point....

[Micah]

My dd didn't start reading until yr4.

We found many "early reader" books were gendered- all those magic animals and flower fairies series for girls. Boys ones were Horrid Henry-naughty boy style. She disliked both.

She only really started reading once she was able to read YA fiction, where you can find heroic girls- buffy, katniss etc as well as boys. She likes David Walliams too as his books aren't stereotypical.

[BertrandRussell]

Sorry- I have no idea what we're talking about now!

[bumbleymummy]

MrsDV just said her son was reading JW.

[BertrandRussell]

I'm not sure what your point is, washediris. Are you saying that boys are not subject to gender stereotyping and societal pressure?

And no, there aren't many boys in Jaqueline Wilson. Do boys read them?

[BertrandRussell]

Can't remember any girl main characters in Michael Morpurgo.....