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| Canadian Adolescent Boys and Literacy | ||||
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The
purpose of this research study is to better understand issues of gender
in classrooms in relation to language and literacy, particularly for adolescent
boys in Canadian urban multicultural classrooms. Through this study we
are examining how early adolescent boys in urban Canadian schools construct
their gender identity in their talk, in their writing, and through their
reading. |
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| Over
the past several decades there has been an increasing concern in North America
that girls are being short-changed in their schooling; in more recent years
questions have been raised in the western world about the nature of schooling
for boys. While not disregarding the seriousness of gender inequities for
girls in school, we want to explore the gender issues that exist for boys
regarding school literacy. The research indicates concerns for boys in educational
settings, e.g., boys don’t view education positively, they don’t
like to read, some don’t read very well, and a growing percentage
of boys are “failing” at school. Boys are faced with many contradictions
between school literacy practices and societal expectations regarding masculinity. The recognition that literacy is a socio-cultural construct has increased our awareness of the importance of gender in learning to be literate. While substantial qualitative research has been conducted into the literacy practices of girls, the research studies regarding boys have to date been primarily quantitative; the specifics of the literacy practices of boys have been researched in less depth than that of girls. There is a need for more extensive, in-depth, and longitudinal research into the literacy practices of boys from diverse backgrounds. Our work over the past several years has focused on gender and literacy, primarily that of adolescent girls. Through this work we have come to recognize the need to consider both males and females when examining issues of gender. We undertake this inquiry to better understand the development of literacy for adolescent boys. With current concerns about boys faring badly in school, we believe that it is important to do in-depth research into their literacy practices in order to better assess if and how Canadian schools may be shortchanging or failing boys. |
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