Gender Differences in Acquiring Literacy

Boys and Books by James Maloney is concerned about the male mass of average to below-average achievers, particularly with regards to literacy. David Booth's book Even Hockey Players Read also is concerned with the fact that boys not only leisure read less than girls, but nearly 50% of boys by high school identify themselves as non-readers. Why aren't boys reading? The list of usual suspects point to sports, tv and video games, or not enough books on the market geared to boys. It's easy to use these things as scapegoats, but the real reasons dig a bit deeper. Firstly, Booth points out that the masculine image identified in the media is not usually one with his nose in a book. It's more focused on brawn. Secondly, there is a lack of male role models... the classic "my dad only reads the newspaper." Thirdly, which the previous two points allude to, popular opinion tends to radiate around the idea that "reading is what girls do." Realistically, who is most likely to read bedtime stories to a boy? Who teaches boys to read in the primary years? Who sits through the laborious "read aloud" stage when he is learning how to read? Who is the boy most likely to see reading a book? Who is most likely to encourage him to read? That's right... a woman!

So how can these perceptions be turned around and how can the library help? Well, I think it's important to seek out male role models. Guest storytellers, like getting a firefighter to read to the kids at storytime, may be a good start. Now that men are taking advantage of paternity leave, it seems like there are more males present at storytimes. We can do everything we can to make them feel comfortable and welcome at storytime and in the library so they invite other men to participate in their baby's literacy lives. Choosing books- like non-fiction truck books or information books- during storytime will appeal to the little boys at storytime. I think librarians are doing a fabulous job at these things already... but it would be nice to brainstorm ways of "luring" more men to the profession. Just like wouldn't it be great to have more men teaching the primary grades. Little boys need all the help with literacy that they can get, and positive, male role-models interacting with them in their daily lives are a good place to start.