Customer Reviews

Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons from an Educational System That's Leaving Them Behind

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In this book, the author provides an excellent and very interesting study of the modern day educational gender gap. This gap is the considerable disadvantage that boys now face compared to girls in educational outcomes. The author points out that not only are college students and those receiving degrees almost 60% female, but that preceding the college years is a record of poor educational performance by boys going back to pre-Kindergarten. In 10 well-organized chapters, the book develops a number of important concepts. Not only does it provide the thesis of why boys are doing so poorly (not only relative to girls but also overall), but it also provides indications of what the solutions are. These proposed solutions include improved teaching techniques to address the problems, as well as necessary policy initiatives. The 10 chapters provide a logical flow through the subject area of the book. The first chapter looks into how the basic issue presents itself, using examples such as an awards presentation at a school where almost all of the award recipients are girls. This leads to the question, what happened to the boys? The second chapter then points to the ultimate underlying factor, poor literacy among boys, pointing out that strong literacy is absolutely necessary not only for success in college, but in many other areas, such as being able to read manuals. The third chapter then explores some of the reasons why reading is taught so poorly; pointing out that good teaching methods are especially important when students are doing poorly. The fourth chapter then looks at the deficiencies of boys with regard to writing ability. In the fifth chapter, the book now moves on to a new emphasis, starting with an examination of many of the reasons that are given for the poor educational performance of boys. This starts with video games, discusses the lack of male teachers, and covers a number of other proposed explanations. For each one, the author examines whether there is credible evidence that the factor is a valid or partial explanation for the problems that boys are having. The sixth chapter is the most hopeful in the book. In this chapter, the author examines three schools that are succeeding in teaching all of their students, including the boys, at an equal level, particularly in reading. Here the techniques that are being used so successfully are described and the key point is made that it is possible to teach virtually all boys to read successfully. Having established that the methods exist, the author moves on in the seventh chapter to examine the ideological stalemate, particularly from those who have been fighting for equality for girls, that has caused this problem to largely be ignored in this country. Since the problem has not been addressed at the highest levels in the United States, the author then uses the eighth chapter to look at how the problems of poor educational performance by boys has been addressed in other countries, particularly in Australia. The ninth chapter then discusses societal trends that show why these gender gaps matter. And the tenth chapter then looks at recommendations that the author has towards the alleviation of the problem, particularly advocating that the Secretary of Education sponsor a formal study into the issue of poor educational performance by boys. Overall, this provides an excellent journey, both for those who are mostly unfamiliar with the issue as well as for those who have been aware of it for some time, into the latest problems, developments, and solutions that have been taking place in this important area. The style is fun to read. It is full of little stories that are interesting in their own right and also provide excellent illustrations of the points that are being made. No matter where one stands on this issue, they will be both entertained and well informed.

This book gives a good overview of the problems boys are having in school, particularly with literacy. Having already read other books on the subject, such as Peg Tyre's "The Trouble With Boys", Christina Hoff Sommers' "The War Against Boys" (both applauded and derided by Whitmire), or "Work Hard, Be Nice" by Jay Matthews, a lot of "Why Boys Fail" was familiar.

Most helpful were the examples of schools that get things right, mostly by making sure no one, boys or girls, are falling behind.

Whitmire keeps coming back to the idea that the US government and the Department of Education has to get into the act by commissioning a major study into the boy problem. While I would agree that this might break the dam holding back serious consideration of boy-friendly education techniques, I don't see it as either a panacea or as a necessary step. The schools that are doing well by boys that he describes in the book are not doing so because they are responding to a government study; they are simply looking within their own student body and seeing the glaring inequalities. Any and every school can and must do that--without an outside kick if necessary.

More effective would be involved parents, principals, superintendents, school boards, and state legislatures insisting that schools report results by gender, and address any problems that show up in those results.

Whitmire only briefly and obliquely touches on the ed-school problem. The decline in education across the board (especially compared with students overseas), and the decline of boys achievements in particular, have corresponded with a decline in the content taught at teachers colleges--particularly the denigration of phonics and of "drill and kill" teaching which insists that kids practice to achieve mastery (the very thing the KIPP schools have used to propel their kids forward). Then there was the disaster of the whole-word reading fad--which he describes in relation to California's adoption of the technique. Early on Whitmire quotes one person as saying the root of most of the problem is ed schools, but then drops the subject for most of the book. If teachers are not taught to teach using effective techniques, then what hope is there for the kids in their classrooms?

If you are new to this subject, this is as good a starting place as any. If you are already familiar with the subject, then it is mostly a rehash of other books.

One minor quibble and pet peeve: at least three times in the book (though once was in a quote by someone else), Whitmire uses the phrase: "the boys could care less" which actually means the opposite of what Whitmire was trying to say. If someone could care even less than they do, then they have not yet hit bottom. If someone "couldn't care less" they have hit rock bottom.

As the parent of a daughter and a son, I found the book immensely reassuring. I now understand why my very smart and fabulous son did not excel as well academically as he has in life outside the classroom. I wish I had known this years ago. It would have saved me sleepless nights and lots of worry. I hope the book impacts those who are in a position to effect change in the way we teach our boys.

Authentic and meaningful book on the subject of the boy problem focusing on the dilemma of boys and school literacy. It is written in a understandable format. I liked the fact that Whitmire drew on many sources. It clearly shows that boys can suffer educationally and psychologically in nursery school through adulthood! After reading this book,hopefully action plans will be developed to not lose any more boys in this educational system.

Richard Whitmire offers an interesting and well-researched analysis in "Why Boys Fail" of the educational problems affecting boys in K-12. His book is logically organized with an initial identification of the problems (literacy deficiencies among others) and their causes, an exam of the misdirection of blame, solutions and impediments, international approaches to deal with the challenges, why the gender gaps matter, and what should be done in the US. The author provides intriguing info concerning boys' lagging reading and writing performance as well as the impact their academic failures have on their income potential and marriageability. He justifiably criticizes the US Dept of Education, teachers unions, and education schools for their complacency.

Yet, some of his conclusions I found to be frustrating and unconvincing. For instance, he seems to insist that "feminization" of the classrooms is not a convincing explanation for boys' poor performance compared to girls', but throughout the book he points out ways in which teachers and the education system neglect the particular learning needs of boys -- especially when it comes to reading and writing assignments. One of Whitmire's major themes is that boys are failing in school because the world has become more verbal while boys haven't. But it seems more accurate to argue that the reason for the failure is that boys have vulnerabilities that are not being adequately addressed by an education system that is geared more to the learning styles and interests of girls. Fortunately, he does hold feminists in the US accountable for both their denial of the boy education problem and their persistent obstruction of reform efforts.

The book, all in all, is well worth a read for those who are concerned about this neglected problem and who realize that the academic failure of boys is harmful to our sons and daughters as well.

This is the proverbial "elephant in the room" with Mr. Whitmire's expose of this international crisis. His poignant description of the magnitude of this problem which has been documented by numerous studies with significant statistical data should attract the attention of every teacher and administrator in the U. S.!In my 35 years of educational experience, I began seeing the epidemic disaffection that boys were having for education of a conventional nature. I had no idea of the international scope of this crisis and I am totally perplexed by the illogicality of educators to recognize and deal with this gender gap illiteracy problem. He has analyzed the likely causes of the reading tribulations that boys are experiencing and debunked the symptoms that have been blamed. The blame game has been used as reasons for not tackling this problem as Mr. Whitmire so skillfully points out, but he sees definitive solutions which have been systematically used in some countries and in small pockets of the U.S. The fundamental consequences have already become apparent and other significant social consequences are beginning. It is imperative that parents and educators from pre-school to graduate/professional schools start a movement in this country to acknowledge and initiate solutions for this exponentially expanding problem with boys. I heartfully extol Mr. Whitmire's valiant endeavor to expose this international educational crisis and I sincerely hope that we can make a major about face before it becomes too late. I would like to see a grassroots movement with parents and educators and I have become a "Why Boys Fail" disciple. Fellow educators - make your voices heard!

Richard Whitmire has given us a well thought-out overview of a subject that has gotten scant attention--the frightening falling off of boys' academic achievement, particularly in comparison to girls.

Peppered with engaging stories and descriptions, Whitmire lays out the facts and examines popular hypotheses for the achievement gap between boys and girls. He comes to no definitive conclusions, but he lays out the case for inadequate reading instruction pretty powerfully.

My favorite parts involve descriptions of schools where there is no achievement gap--schools that focus on basic reading instruction as well as teaching a well-rounded curriculum by teachers who take care to make sure all their students learn. Seems so obvious.

Whether you have a son or not, this book offers crucial insight into one of the most important contemporary issues in our schools. Whitmire writes with passion and intelligence about the problem and some fascinating solutions.

I have 2 daughters and 2 sons. My daughters are at the end of their high school careers, my sons are just starting (1st grade and preschool). My daughters have IEPs at public schools, and just like so many of the boys in this book, they were just passed along from grade to grade. When my youngest daughter was entering 9th grade, that was the first time anyone bothered to tell my husband and I that she was not reading at a 5th grade reading level. After a lot of work and encouragement, she has since developed a love of reading and is taking an extra year of high school to hone her interests before entering college, which is a long way from where she was before.

Had I read this book before, I would have been more attuned to their progress. It is helping me focus on my sons now to give them the best chance from the start. I've looked for websites that help teach phonics and I do extra writing practice with them on nights that they don't have homework. We are fortunate that their school (A Catholic School in Ontario) has a vigorous reading program where higher grade students have lifelong reading buddies with the kids from kindergarden until 4th grade, and at 4th or 5th grade, they become the reading mentors. Just this year, the school began a volunteer reading mentoring program.

My husband and I are taking a proactive approach with our sons, Daddy reads bedtime stories as often as he can, and he makes sure to read in the family room with them instead of in a separate room so they see that reading is cool, not sissy stuff.

As the mother of two young boys, I dove into Richard Whitmire's book. Although my boys are just starting their school career, I struggle with how they learn. They don't see things the same way that I do, which makes it very hard for me to help them with their work. If this truly is a microcosm of the problems of educating boys, then there is much work to be done.

Why Boys Fail uses well-documented research to describe the magnitude of the problem. Equally as interesting, the author continues to use research to explain the common misconceptions for the reasons behind boys' educational problems. (My kids would be happy to find out it can't all be blamed on video games). Most enlightening is the chapter on schools that are doing it right and erasing any gender gap. His final chapter with recommendations is very high-level. As a parent, I wanted to see more recommendations I could act on but there are still a lot of information peppered throughout the book that parents can use.

After finishing Why Boys Fail, I feel ready to be on the lookout for the signs (problems in reading especially) that could plague them in later grades.