Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace Relations

Inquiry into the education of boys
Media release, 4 June 2001

Boys and Attention Deficit Disorder

Increasing numbers of boys are disengaging from school and developing negative attitudes to learning. Some have low self-esteem, difficulty communicating with others and display problems at school. Some boys are experiencing learning difficulties and the literacy gap between boys and girls is increasing. So, what is the problem facing boys and what can be done to help?

At this Thursday's public hearing the House of Representatives Education Committee will discuss boys and violence, and the rising incidence of attention deficit disorder and its impact on the education of boys with representatives of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Ms Sarah Hordern is the Association's National Policy Officer and Ms Elizabeth Moleta and Mr Paul Wyles are Association members with experience in the correction of violent behaviours in young people.

• Public hearing: House of Representatives Education Committee
  The education of boys inquiry
  Ms Sarah Hordern
  Ms Elizabeth Moleta
  Mr Paul Wyles
  
• Where: Committee room 1R3, Parliament House
  
• When: Thursday 7 June, 9 am - 9.45 am

The House Education Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into the education of boys focussing on the social, cultural and educational factors affecting boys.

Mrs Kay Elson, Committee Chair, said there is some concern that ADD and ADHD are not the root cause of the behavioural problems of some boys diagnosed with these conditions.

"We are concerned that drug treatments for ADD and ADHD are being prescribed for some boys to deal with behavioural problems arising from other causes" Mrs Elson said. "Where poor parenting skills, or a family problem, are behind misbehaviour it is better to treat the cause and not just the symptom. In some families, boys have learnt to use violent responses to deal with frustration and anger and the Committee is interested in a program used by some social workers which teaches these boys how to manage and express their frustration and anger in non-violent and non-abusive ways."

For background information on the inquiry, visit: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/eewr

For media comment contact Mrs Kay Elson, MP, Chair of the House Education Committee, on (02) 6277 4274

For background information contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4573.

Back to top