Education and Boys

Boys are at risk of failing to progress and complete their education. Whilst girls have more difficulty accessing education than boys, globally 132 million boys are out of school. This is over half of the overall out of school youth population. (UNESCO, 2022)

Boys are more likely to experience learning poverty worldwide. This means they are unable to read and comprehend a simple text by the age of ten. In low to middle income countries, the learning poverty rate for boys is 56%, compared to 47% for girls. (Saavedra et al, 2022)

Fear and experiences of violence negatively impact boys’ levels of academic achievement. Boys are more likely than girls to experience physical bullying in school and are often targeted due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Harsh discipline, corporal punishment and other forms of gender-based violence in school impact boys’ educational achievement. (UNESCO, 2022)

Poverty is a key driver of boys’ poor education outcomes. Household poverty has been identified as the key factor that affects the chances of completion of primary and secondary education for both boys and girls. In Haiti, 78 of the poorest boys completed primary education for every 100 of the poorest girls. (UNESCO, 2022)

The search for employment is one of the factors pulling boys out of school. In South Africa, studies show that more boys than girls left school early because earning money and attaining adult status was more attractive to them than staying in school. Similarly, in Brazil minimum age of employment is not clearly aligned with compulsory education; many boys in low-income settings drop out of school as education is not seen to guarantee future employment. (UNESCO, 2022)

Gender stereotypes can negatively impact a boy’s school experience. Boys that do not conform to gender norms can experience discriminatory behaviours. Specific behaviours associated with school are sometimes considered to be ‘effeminate.’ For example, a study in Chile found that young people consider reading to be a feminine activity and boys who show an interest in it are often mocked. (UNESCO, 2022) (World Bank, 2021)

Educated men are more likely to have more egalitarian attitudes toward gender equality. Men with higher educational attainment have more gender-equitable attitudes, and less rigid views of masculinity. (International Centre for Research on Women, 2011) (Parker et al, 2017)

Education creates more equitable and caring partners and fathers. Men who have completed at least some secondary education are more likely to take on a fair share of domestic work and childcare, and take paternity leave. (International Centre for Research on Women, 2011)

Boys’ education reduces gender-based violence. Better educated boys and young men are less likely to perpetrate physical violence against an intimate partner, and are more likely to condemn sexual harassment or violence. This could be transformative in promoting gender equality and reducing violence. (UNESCO, 2022)

Boys’ education deters recruitment as a child soldier. More than 90% of boys in the Democratic Republic of Congo believed that being in school would make them less likely to be targeted by child soldier recruitment. (Save the Children, 2014)

Harmful social and gender norms can be shifted through school-based educational interventions. Stereotypical gender norms are a key factor in driving and sustaining gender-based violence. Curricula are an important component of the educational process that allows youth to reflect on their roles in society and help them develop positive gender attitudes and norms. (UNGEI, 2019)

Educated men are more likely to be healthier. In France, the partial (35 to 80 years) life expectancy of low, moderate, and highly educated men varies from 37.6 years, to 39.5 and 41.3 years respectively. (Michel, 2021)

Quality education for boys creates more tolerant societies. Boys and young men with higher levels of education tend to have less homophobic attitudes. (International Centre for Research on Women, 2011)

Schools are effective platforms for delivering critical knowledge and awareness to prevent sexual violence. A systemic review of 65 interventions to reduce boys’ use of sexual violence found 90% of interventions were school based, with most changing attitudes effectively. Participating students committed significantly less sexual and physical dating violence and were less likely to endorse rape myths compared with control groups. (Ricardo et al, 2011) (Foshee et al, 2004) (De La Rue et al, 2014)

Q. Why should we invest in boys’ education when girls are more marginalised?

A. Girls’ education is a major global priority and there are numerous benefits for girls, young women, their families and the economy. Investing in boys’ education is also part of the solution to gender equality. Higher levels of education for boys is associated with lower levels of violence and discrimination and more positive attitudes towards women.