The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do

My rating:

add to my books

The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do

by Peg Tyre

3.87 · rating details · 294 ratings · 104 reviews

From the moment they step into the classroom, boys begin to struggle. They get expelled from preschool nearly five times more often than girls; in elementary school, they’re diagnosed with learning disorders four times as often. By eighth grade huge numbers are reading below basic level. And by high school, they’re heavily outnumbered in AP classes and, save for the realm ...moreFrom the moment they step into the classroom, boys begin to struggle. They get expelled from preschool nearly five times more often than girls; in elementary school, they’re diagnosed with learning disorders four times as often. By eighth grade huge numbers are reading below basic level. And by high school, they’re heavily outnumbered in AP classes and, save for the realm of athletics, show indifference to most extracurricular activities. Perhaps most alarmingly, boys now account for less than 43 percent of those enrolled in college, and the gap widens every semester!

The imbalance in higher education isn’t just a “boy problem,” though. Boys’ decreasing college attendance is bad news for girls, too, because admissions officers seeking balanced student bodies pass over girls in favor of boys. The growing gender imbalance in education portends massive shifts for the next generation: how much they make and whom they marry.

Interviewing hundreds of parents, kids, teachers, and experts, award-winning journalist Peg Tyre drills below the eye-catching statistics to examine how the educational system is failing our sons. She explores the convergence of culprits, from the emphasis on high-stress academics in preschool and kindergarten, when most boys just can’t tolerate sitting still, to the outright banning of recess, from the demands of No Child Left Behind, with its rigid emphasis on test-taking, to the boy-unfriendly modern curriculum with its focus on writing about “feelings” and its purging of “high-action” reading material, from the rise of video gaming and schools’ unease with technology to the lack of male teachers as role models.

But this passionate, clearheaded book isn’t an exercise in finger-pointing. Tyre, the mother of two sons, offers notes from the front lines—the testimony of teachers and other school officials who are trying new techniques to motivate boys to learn again, one classroom at a time. The Trouble with Boys gives parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the state of education a manifesto for change—one we must undertake right away lest school be-come, for millions of boys, unalterably a “girl thing.”

From the Hardcover edition.(less)

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published September 9th 2008 by Crown

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best books of September, 2008

25th out of 27 books — 22 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 629)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 21, 2008

Stephanie rated it

For all you that have boys out there, this is a must read. The book showcases the problems that boys are having in our school system and how we can help them succeed. I was amazed by statistics such as boys get diagnosed with ADHD over 5 times the amount of girls, boys are declining in subjects such as Math and Science, and the gender gap on college campuses between girls and boys are increasing. Very interesting. I will be more aware of how to make sure the schools are good for my boys.

like 4 likes

· see review

Dec 29, 2008

Meredith rated it

Recommended to Meredith by: Chris

It was interesting to read this book as an elementary female teacher. As I read, I realized that many of my techniques in the classroom fit for boys- and not girls. Boys need to move and think differently than girls. You can either take this book completely to heart or pick and choose ideas.

like 2 likes

· see review

Mar 11, 2009

David rated it

Interesting summary and analysis of the research showing that boys and men lag well behind girls and women in school achievement. A lot of it is familiar ground (possible overdiagnosing and overmedicating of boys for ADHD, 57% of college undergraduates are women, boys would rather play video games than do homework.........) if you either work in education or know a lot of boys, but the author does a nice job of laying it out and of providing some historical context.

I also appreciate...more

like 1 like

· see review

Dec 06, 2011

Jill rated it

I found this book thought provoking, but ultimately lacking. The book relies on an essentialist understanding of gender--you could structure a drinking game around the frequency of mention of how much boys love trucks, for example--that limits its claims. Every page, I asked WHY: why are boys less verbal entering school? why do boys require more physical activity to succeed in school? why do boys need "gross-out" humor to find discussion accessible?

In this orientation, Tyre ...more

like 1 like

· see review

Dec 28, 2010

Jean rated it

Shelves: parenting, education, non-fiction

If you are concerned about how well your son is doing in school, or if you are wondering about your daughter's prospects for college admission, this book is a wonderful read. Tyre has filled this volume with facts and personal stories and breaks down the latest studies and scientific data in a well organized book that allows you to pick and choose which chapters to read, although you may find yourself devouring the entire book. I found that it challenged my feminist ideas about girls in the clas...more

· see review

Jun 10, 2010

Mary rated it

Recommends it for: teachers, parents of boys having difficulties in school

Shelves: teaching-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The author argues that while boys have traditionally excelled in school, the feminist movement of the 1970s pushed teachers/ lawmakers/ society members to concentrate on girls' progress in school. Now the "new gender gap" has boys lagging further and further behind girls. In fact, boys start futher behind in reading and writing and never catch up.

All kids need physical activity, but boys especially are yelled at for their physical movements in the classroom. Recess time ...moreThe author argues that while boys have traditionally excelled in school, the feminist movement of the 1970s pushed teachers/ lawmakers/ society members to concentrate on girls' progress in school. Now the "new gender gap" has boys lagging further and further behind girls. In fact, boys start futher behind in reading and writing and never catch up.

All kids need physical activity, but boys especially are yelled at for their physical movements in the classroom. Recess time is either structured or taken away completely. Movement is vital because it actually helps kids focus (106).

Some solutions include: give kids books they like (action, non-fiction, male protagonists, irreverent humor) give kids books they like, movement every 15-20 minutes, allowing a louder noise level in the classroom, find uber-male role models and have them read to elementary school students....

"Three decades of research is unequivocal: The better a child reads, the greater is the probability that the child will succeed in school" (138).

"Reading and writing are make-or-break skills in today's economy. Males who fail to earn a high school diploma are less likely to have a stead job, less likely to get married, and more likely to get divorced if they do marry. They are more likely to have contact with prison and the welfare system and to live in poverty. Not suprisingly, those negative experiences undermine a person's health and longevity. Men who aren't well educated and are single are far more prone to chronic aliments such as health disease and cancer. Men who are unmarried high school dropouts don't live as long as educated married men" (140).

Writing: boys want to write about what they want/create a different world, writing makes hands hurt.

"Girls write for the teacher, boys write for each other. Boys use kid language not classroom language. Their stories are goofy, fanciful, sarcastic, funny and designed for the amusement of their peers" (157). This shows me that I need to do more Story Starters and encourage sharing in the class because this assists the boys with their voice. The book also talks about "be prepared for [boys:] to tackle dangerous topics replete with violence, mayhem, and gore: 'We need to redefine our goals in teaching reading so that we can champion the great energy boys can bring to a project and their willingness to take risks" (158).

One group asks boys, "Well, how are you going to attract and hold on to a well-spoken, well-dressed, educated woman if you yourself are not well spoken and well dressed and you don't even make it through high school?" (227).

Issues boys have in school: organization, writing neatly, colloborating instead of competing, and writing about feelings.

Teachers should: pay attention to males' progress in reading and writing, vary book choices and writing topics, help students discover the joys of reading.(less)

· see review

Dec 30, 2008

Tracey rated it

Adult nonfiction; education/social issues. Peg Tyre builds on the work of Leonard Sax but fails to add much new apart from some perspective on why people have trouble acknowledging that boys are in fact at a disadvantage in today's educational institutions (it has a lot to do with not wanting to take attention or support away from the feminist movement). Her research is also somewhat spotty and not thoroughly convincing; however, teachers and parents of boys who struggle in school will be well a...more

· see review

Oct 01, 2011

Sheryl rated it

This is one of the most important and revelatory books I have ever read. Our boys are failing to achieve at the same rate as our girls in record numbers. Lest you believe this is just a problem for boys, it has an impact on our daughters, too. The book alternately moved me to tears of recognition at some of the struggles my son has to face, while simultaneously making me angry on my daughter's behalf at how gender inequity (on either side) benefits no one. With objectivity and a heck of a lot of...more

· see review

Sep 21, 2008

Giga rated it

Very interesting as my son is currently working through issues that were originally diagnosed as ADD. Very disappointing to know that the last 4 years of constant conflict may not have been his fault after all, but it's offering more insight as to what I can try to offer his teachers when the conference discussion inevitably turns to his attention problems.

like 1 like

· see review

Jul 24, 2010

Cynthia rated it

Shelves: parenting

A very interesting and worrying look at the comparative success rates in school of boys & girls. Data shows that within any given racial or socio-economic group, girls outperform boys beginning in about 4th grade -- measured by grades, academic awards, and participation in extra-curricular activities aside from sports. College attendance & graduation rates are much higher for girls than for boys; colleges below the very top tier have a hard time maintaining a balance between men & women in the...more

· see review

Jun 02, 2009

Christina rated it

Shelves: teaching

pretty compelling. stats, anecdotes, and common sense secure the argument that boys are performing more poorly in school than their female counterparts (at all levels of socio-economic ladder) and that some education system practices are biased against boys. good read for teachers to be aware of unseen biases in classroom and behavior and response to students.

found very informative the chapters summarizing the history of education system and the ones dealing with how research in the ...more

· see review

Jan 19, 2009

Kat rated it

I thought this book was interesting, but it honestly made me paranoid with what my boys could be facing at school. Part of this could be because I'm trying to figure out what to do with Ben in the fall and it's kind of a sensitive subject.

I think the book has some great information, but I didn't feel like it was a balanced perspective on the subject as it claimed to be (similar to "The Case for Israel"). I appreciated some of the feedback for how to help boys in school, bu...more

· see review

Jul 12, 2011

Nate Jordon rated it

· review of another edition

If you're a pre-K through high school teacher, this is a must-read. If you're considering becoming a pre-K through high school teacher, read this first. If you're an adjunct professor at the Community College of Denver, this will either convince you to become a crusader, or throw in the plunger and become a plumber. . . .

Someone once said, "There ain't gonna be any middle anymore." That's the attitude all teachers and professors need to take. As an instructor, there's much ...more

· see review

May 10, 2011

Melynna rated it

Recommends it for: educators and parents

Shelves: 2011, non-fiction, books-i-would-recommend-to-almost-a

If you are a parent, especially of a boy, then consider this book an invaluable read. I've been apprehensive about my son's crazy energy meshing well with school when the time comes and I'm glad I read this book now instead of in a few years. It's helped me make a plan to ensure that my son doesn't start out his educational career thinking he's not right for the classroom. This was a super interesting read -- easy to get through and lots of food for thought. From what I understand Tyre has built...more

· see review

Jul 25, 2011

Stephanie rated it

Shelves: homeschooling

As the mother of a young boy who will be homeschooled when he hits school age, I found this book incredibly informative and well-written. It not only reaffirmed our decision to keep our son out of traditional schools, but it gave me a foundation upon which to build knowledge to properly educate my son. Even at the age of 1 he already exhibits "classic" male traits: high energy, hands on learning, loves building and playing cars, and he loves things that mimic sports.

I stumb...more

like 1 like

· see review

Aug 01, 2010

Brittney added it

The author seems to talk in circles. She shares a lot of conflicting research, many statistics, and few suggestions. She devotes a whole chapter to brain-based research only to conclude that “brain-based” learning is a fad and parents should “be wary” of it. Same-sex schools are touched on and Tyre advises parents to “proceed with caution.” This all being said after a whole chapter’s worth of research shows us that the only groups that benefit from this model of schooling are girls and poor Afri...moreThe author seems to talk in circles. She shares a lot of conflicting research, many statistics, and few suggestions. She devotes a whole chapter to brain-based research only to conclude that “brain-based” learning is a fad and parents should “be wary” of it. Same-sex schools are touched on and Tyre advises parents to “proceed with caution.” This all being said after a whole chapter’s worth of research shows us that the only groups that benefit from this model of schooling are girls and poor African American boys. Maybe she should advise parents to only enroll students in same sex schools if they are within these two categories? Tyre wraps up her book with some particular ideas about how to conquer the “trouble with boys.” She suggests people lobby Congress to pass bills that authorize money to be spent on improving boys’ academic performance. She also says we need to stop “acting as if girls are still an underserved population.” (p. 281) With the massively harmful budget cuts we are currently experiencing, it hardly seems fair to spend money on boys alone. Also, what happens to girls when we start ignoring them and focusing on boys? I take issue with ignoring ANY one group. Another suggestion she offers up is creating more science and math camps and social organizations like Girl Scouts. Last time I checked, there are plenty of science and math camps for boys and a very largely respected and well-known organization for boys called Boy Scouts. She also offers her opinions on the problems with boys that teachers are responsible for. In fact, many times throughout the book, she can be found pointing the finger in the direction of teachers, new teachers especially. While she is careful to try and sugarcoat these accusations, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
As a journalist, I expected Tyre to be more objective and provide research to support her suggestions. Overall, am I convinced that there is a problem with boys? I am really not sure. I plan on reading more on the topic because Tyre’s style does not sit right with me. Tyre’s research has too many holes in my opinion and because of this, I am not convinced of most of what she says. If there is in deed trouble with boys, I hope to find more realistic ways to combat it in another book. Richard Whitmire’s, Why Boys Fail, may be a better fit for me.
(less)

· see review

Nov 11, 2009

Karin rated it

This book should be required reading for all parents...handed to them at Kindergarten registration. Based firmly in research, this author succeeds in being engaging and provocative without coming accross as preachy. She clearly maps the challenges boys face in modern society and in schools, and then suggests areas meriting closer examination. Her exclamation point is the importance of the "trouble with boys" to parents of girls (who are now being discriminated against, not because...more

· see review

Sep 26, 2010

Dustie rated it

Shelves: education-and-parenting

Feminists don't beware! Tyre does not have an anti-feminist agenda. She does, however, point out that while dollars, resources, and mindshare have brought female students up to par with their male counterparts since the 1970s ... boys are now in the hot seat. Her recommendations for success aren't a tidy little list of sure-things for educators or parents but I appreciate that she is raising the flag. I would say this is a must read for teachers and for parents are doing any sort of hand-wri...more

· see review

Feb 17, 2010

Ginger rated it

I dog eared so many pages in this book, I need to buy the library a new one. I want to compile a list of the things I found interesting/useful, so this review is my own cliff notes.
Preschool Blues-the average boy moves around a little more than the typical girl, however the most active ones are MOST likely to be boys. The most profound difference in movement grows pronounced at age two and peaks when boys are seven or eight. The demand of an academic preschool classroom can outpace a boy...moreI dog eared so many pages in this book, I need to buy the library a new one. I want to compile a list of the things I found interesting/useful, so this review is my own cliff notes.
Preschool Blues-the average boy moves around a little more than the typical girl, however the most active ones are MOST likely to be boys. The most profound difference in movement grows pronounced at age two and peaks when boys are seven or eight. The demand of an academic preschool classroom can outpace a boy's natural development. A boy's natural inclination for violent play is more about courage, loyalty, and risking all to save friends in the face of a powerful foe. Little boys are playing at being the best, most compassionate, most heroic kind of men imaginable. Boys are 4.5 times more likely to be expelled from preschool.
Ch 5 Notes from the front- It is developmentally inappropriate to expect a four yr old boy to wait in line patiently. Boy friendly school activities at this age are a large area for blocks, balls, opportunities for building, lots of free play, use swimming noodles for sword fights, rough and tumble play, room to play with cars, sensory opportunities like mud, silly putty, clay. Have rituals to mark the transition to a new activity.
Kindergarten-with kindergartens being geared more towards academics, it may be useful to "redshirt" a boy, or keep him out of school until he is 6. Be open to alternative ways of developing skills: a boy might improve his fine motor skill by holding a paintbrush, a struggling to make sense of a narrative on a printed page may learn how to organize a story by learning to sing a simple ballad. Building with blocks teaches rudiments of fractions, geometry, physics, art, it is cognitive development.
Requiem for recess- recess should not be optional, given or taken away as reward or punishment
Pay attention- on ADHD one psychologist says about medicating active children "...produces MEDICALLY ENHANCED COMPLIANCE in those boys by providing them with attention-enhancing drugs". Other alternatives to drugging kids: let a child stand instead of sit while he wrote, if wiggly during circle time give him something to lean on, use a fat pencil instead of a thin one to help one with poor fine motor control, let them work outside instead of at a desk, send him out to run for a break in the work.
Goodbye Mr. Chips- male teachers are vanishing. Though its less about the teacher's gender, its more about if a boy feels engaged by his teacher, whether the teacher makes an effort to understand who he is as a boy.
Boys and Literacy- learning phonics, a few letters at a time, while providing magnetic letters so a child can create different words with the letters whose sound they have learned. For boys the letters are like legos, and they are BUILDING words. For encouraging reading boys like stories with lots of action,factual books, sports books, or comic books. They like funny books, esp irreverent books about bodily functions. Let boys read what interests them. They aren't as interested in romance or relationships. And no passing judgment if they choose to read these kinds of things instead of the "classics". Boys can be poor judges of their own abilities, choosing reading material either to hard or too easy. Reading needs to be seen as something we all do, not just women. Uncles, fathers, grandfathers, brothers need to engage boys in discussions about things that adults read.
When writing, many boys are disengaged. Let a boy use a keyboard if he has poor handwriting. Allow boys to plenty of choices when it comes to what they write. Allow students to use visual cues-arrows, drawings, signs- when making the transition from drawing to prose. Develop an appreciation of the way boys write. They may be writing wacky(or battle) stories, with less detail, but they do write for other boys, know who their audience is, and play to that audience.
Thinking with a boy brain- the male brain is not at full size until approx. age 30. Be patient with your son, his maturation may take longer than you expect.(less)

· see review

Apr 25, 2011

Megan rated it

Rich in research, The Trouble with Boys, was compelling. After reading The Curse of the Good Girl, I wanted to balance my reading with a book about boys. I'm so glad this was the book I chose. I have to be honest, some parts are uncomfortable to read as a teacher and a parent of 2 boys and a girl. As a product of a women's college, I strongly believe in empowering girls in their own learning, but what has education done for boys while we were equalizing education for girls? The statistics r...more

· see review

Apr 01, 2009

Ashley rated it

I liked the things I am learned about the differences between the ways boys and girls learn to read, learn in general in our public schools. I like how the author focuses two of the chapters on preschool and kindergarten (since this I feel is very relevant to me and my child right now). I liked learning ways that I can help my son enjoy learning and reading (by allowing him to read and enjoy some of the books that I may not have picked out for him). I am taking a lot of good things away from rea...more

· see review

Oct 09, 2009

Nikki rated it

Shelves: education

Interesting and thoughtful. Peg Tyre explores the modern day educational system from preschool to college and talks about the struggles boys have to keep up. Many will counter that schools are not female biased, but the fact that so many boys are struggling to make it through high school and college ought to tell us something. I am not sure if the roots of the problem are in the educational system or in society itself (lack of fathers in the home to support and be role models for men). Defin...more

· see review

May 18, 2009

Jeremy rated it

Shelves: coaching-education

If you teach or have a son, read this. If you're both a teacher and parent to a boy, start tomorrow!
This was recommended to me in my administration class by the professor, and I'm glad I looked into it.
Besides focusing on why today's boys (and by extension, men) are falling behind in schools, business and society. Tyre makes a compelling case that the feminist movement may have over-reached, and the outcome is a high drop-out rate amongst boys, a horrible future for male minorities, ...more

· see review

Sep 13, 2010

Claudia rated it

Shelves: professional-reading

"The longer boys stay in school, the farther they fall behind the girls." And we teachers and parents allow that to happen.

This book has rocked me to the foundation of my beliefs about education. Tyre's discussions of the research support what I 'felt' about education: we've rigged the system toward little girls, and our boys may NEVER, NEVER catch up. There are now universities that have to practice quiet 'affirmative action' to bring in more male students...so while male...more

like 1 like

· see review

Dec 19, 2008

Natalie rated it

Recommends it for: parents and educators

Recommended to Natalie by: gmail :-)

Shelves: parenting, books-i-own

I'm absorbing as much as I can of this book but I think I'll buy it. I know our school system is great, our preschool is great, but I am going to try to make darn sure that my son isn't one of the tons of boys left behind in an increasingly test-oriented, sit-still-centric education system. It's not like Samantha's a sit still sort of kid anyway, so I might learn some valuable tips to help her even though she's not a boy :-)

So far I think this is one of the most important books I'v...more

· see review

May 19, 2009

Gloria rated it

(Admittedly, skimmed the chapters on kindergarten and pre-school....)

Read this as I am also seeing a strong trend in college admissions (and feeling some pressure) regarding the dearth of male applicants (and acceptance rates).... and as Eldest became a disengaged reader in 4th grade....

Book is well structured/designed so you can read the parts that are most pertinent to your concerns; would recommend reading the introduction, where Tyre lays out the landscape as well as ...more

· see review

Jan 27, 2011

Angela Wade rated it

Shelves: history, science, homeschooling, parenting

I wish I had come across this book two years ago; it would have saved me tons of frustration and a year of preschool fees. Cemented my decision to homeschool even though there was no mention of that particular subject (probably because there's no data).

That said, this book would have been a better read without the author constantly interrupting the narrative to talk directly to the reader. The facts were compelling enough by themselves - I didn't need the extra arguments to be persua...more

· see review

Jun 08, 2011

Raina rated it

Anyone raising or educating boys should read this. Not every statistic or theory will apply to the boys in your care, but as a parent this book empowers me to observe and advocate for my boys. The chapter on ADHD was alarming, the chapters in reading & writing skills were revelatory, and the chapter on male teachers a little bit tragic. Excellent, well-researched, balanced information presented in an enjoyable and easily read format. Well done.

· see review

Jan 17, 2010

Kevin rated it

This book is posses a very interesting question: Is our education system bias against boys. This question flies in the face of common knowledge. If you ask people who the education system favors and I bet that the majority of individuals will say girls. The data shows the complete opposite. Boys make up the vast majority of students who are held back a year, score lower on all standardized tests, defined as ADHD. In contrast of girls make up nearly 66% of all college freshman, the vast majority ...more

· see review

Jan 11, 2009

Bonnie rated it

Depressing, but enlighteneing for this mom of two boys and one girl. I took a lot away for all three of my kids and his was probably the most important book I've read in a long time. What is especially nice is that I am seeing a lot of the recommendations being implemented by my son's male second grade teacher- and it is a thrill for me to see him enjoying school so much.

· see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 20 21 next »

Parenting

13 users

Education

12 users

See top shelves...

Readers Also Enjoyed

Books by Peg Tyre

The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Pin It

Trivia About The Trouble with ...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do
avg rating	preview: The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Pare Goodreads rating: 3.87 (294 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3453773-the-trouble-with-boys?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320509078m/3453773.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3453773-the-trouble-with-boys?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do by Peg Tyre[/url]

The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Readers Also Enjoyed

Books by Peg Tyre

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Trouble with ...

The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combine Other Editions (3)

Genres

Readers Also Enjoyed

Books by Peg Tyre

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Trouble with ...

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (3)