Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace Relations

Inquiry into the education of boys
Media release, 7 March 2001

Peer pressure and masculine stereotypes affect boys' education

Boys are often blamed for disruptive behaviour or having a bad attitude. 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 with Dr David Plummer the House of Representatives Education Committee will discuss the influence of peer pressure, masculine stereotypes and homophobia on boys education and boys attitudes to learning.

• Public Hearing: House of Representatives Education Committee
  The education of boys Inquiry
  Dr David Plummer
  
• Where: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House
• When: Thursday 8 March, 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.

Mr Rod Sawford, Deputy Committee Chair, said although the most significant determinant of boys' success is the quality of the educational program, understanding the social influences operating on boys may hold the key to some answers to turning around the "cool to be a fool" subculture among some boys in schools.

"The influences that shape boys' attitudes to school and learning are complex and interrelated," Mr Sawford said. "Peer culture often operates in areas away from adult scrutiny. In its most negative forms, peer culture can influence boys' subject choice and application to learning in ways that limit boys' opportunities to realise their full potential. Understanding these influences on the socialisation of boys will help us to turn around the negative attitudes some boys have to learning and to the development of communication and interpersonal skills which are now socially and economically more important than ever before."

For more details on the public hearing, as well as background information on the inquiry, visit: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/eewr

For media comment contact Mr Rod Sawford MP, Deputy Chair of the House Education Committee, on 0418 847 148 or 08 8447 7466

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

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