Gender differences in growing up in America

Male vs. Female

Is it Harder to Grow Up Male or Female in America?

There is strong evidence that indicates it is no longer a man's world. Women now make up the majority of students in America's colleges and universities in addition to making up the majority of those receiving bachelor and master's degrees. Women are now entering business and law schools in record numbers. Michelle Colin reports that in the United States, women earn 57% of all BA's and 58% of all master's degrees. There are 133 woman getting BA's for every 100 men. By the year 2020 it is projected that there will be 156 women per 100 men earning BA degrees. This paper will examine this phenomenon in light of Title IX of the education amendments of 1972, which opened doors of opportunity for women. (Collin)

Title IX

Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 is the landmark legislation that bans sex discrimination in educational institutions. The preamble to Title IX states: "No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or shall be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." ("Title IX: A of Change in Gender Equiety in Education" )

The Act applies to both public and private schools from kindergarten through graduate schools. Title IX covers admissions, recruitment, educational programs and activities, course offerings and access, counseling, financial aid, employment assistance, facilities and housing, health and insurance benefits and services, scholarships, and athletics.

Since the passage of Title IX, opportunities for woman have expanded significantly. Women have entered into professional schools for medicine, law, and business where before they had been only marginally represented. Male only institutions started to admit females, a change that eventually reached the nation's military academies. ("Title IX's Impact Measurable, 30 Years Later.")

Gender Learning Differences

The male and female brains contain inherent differences in their basic structure. Michael Gurian points out that the male brain is 10 to 15 times the weight and volume of the female brain. In the past, social thinkers have used this fact as evidence to support the notion that men are better, smarter, and more capable of doing the most important jobs. In the recent past discussion about the structural differences between male and female brains has been avoided, and even frowned upon. The result is that our current society tries not to tailor child raising techniques toward boys and girls themselves.