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Facts & Research

Boys and Schools Library

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Adolescent Males and the Media’s Influence on their Self-Image

Eric Shapiro, a high school student at the time this article was written, chose to investigate the connection between media and self-image in adolescent boys as part of a research project for New Jersey's ROGATE program for gifted students. Though the issue of media and self-image is one that receives a lot of attention regarding its impact on girls and women, the question of how boys are similarly affected has not been examined in near as much depth. Mr. Shapiro's research helps to establish that boys can be every bit as vulnerable to the omnipresent influence of media and cultural messages as girls.

Click here to read the article, or click here to download as a PDF.

Boys and Schools Fact Sheets

Boys in Crisis: How Boys Are Falling Behind
From lower reading and writing scores to higher drop-out rates and risky behavior, boys are facing a difficult and troubled future. Boys and Schools examines the leading indicators of this disturbing trend.

Boys' Developmental Differences
Some of the biological and developmental differences that help shape boys' learning styles and behavioral differences.

The Literacy Gap
The most alarming trend in boys' educational outcomes is how far behind boys have fallen in reading and writing.

Mental Health & Suicide
Boys experience socio-emotional difficulties at a rate almost twice that of girls. (Socio-emotional difficulties are defined as, "moderate to severe difficulties with emotions, concentration, behavior, or getting along with other people.")

Learning Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders (including ADD/ADHD)
Studies have shown that boys are more prone to learning disabilities and behavioral disorders such as ADD and ADHD than girls.

Bullying & Safe Schools
Students cannot be expected to excel in an atmosphere of fear, yet that is exactly the challenge that thousands of boys face everyday.

Motivation & Engagement in School

Dropping Out
Information about boys' higher drop-out rates, failure rates, and lower college attendance.

Risky Habits
Trends in alcoholism, drug abuse, and criminal activity.

Health & Obesity
Boys are more likely than girls to have chronic health conditions which limit their ability to walk, care for themselves, or participate in other activities.