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Gender Stereotyping in Parents' and Teachers' Perceptions of Boys' and Girls' Mathematics Performance in Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • Selina McCoy

    (Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin and Trinity College Dublin)

  • Delma Byrne

    (National University of Ireland Maynooth and Geary Institute, University College Dublin)

  • Pat O Connor

    (University of Limerick and Geary Institute, University College Dublin)

Abstract
This paper is concerned with the underlying question of what shapes the assessment of children's mathematical ability: focusing particularly on parents' and teachers' perceptions of that ability in the context of children's attainment (measured using standardised mathematics tests). We suggest that such perceptions may reflect the impact of gender stereotypes: overestimating boys' and underestimating girls' achievements in the area. The influence of the children's own interests, attitudes and behaviour on these gender stereotypical perceptions are also explored. The paper draws on the Growing Up in Ireland study, providing rich data on children, their families and school contexts. The results show that as early as nine years old, girls' performance at mathematics is being underestimated by teachers and primary care givers alike relative to boys'. While teacher (and parent) judgments reflect children's attitudes towards school and academic self-concept, as well as their actual performance, there remains a notable gender differential in judgements. The findings raise concerns for girls' subsequent mathematics performance and for their academic self-concept in a society where mathematics is highly valued as an indicator of intelligence. Importantly, in the context of the move towards teacher-assessed grading in many education systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding, and challenging, gender-stereotyping by both parents and teachers becomes critically important.

Suggested Citation

  • Selina McCoy & Delma Byrne & Pat O Connor, 2020. "Gender Stereotyping in Parents' and Teachers' Perceptions of Boys' and Girls' Mathematics Performance in Ireland," Working Papers 202010, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucd:wpaper:202010
    as

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    File URL: http://www.ucd.ie/geary/static/publications/workingpapers/gearywp202010.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mohan, Gretta & McCoy, Selina & Carroll, Eamonn & Mihut, Georgiana & Lyons, Seán & Mac Domhnaill, Ciarán, 2020. "Learning for all? Second-Level education in Ireland during COVID-19," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number SUSTAT92.
    2. Nicholas W. Papageorge & Seth Gershenson & Kyung Min Kang, 2020. "Teacher Expectations Matter," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 102(2), pages 234-251, May.
    3. Francesca Borgonovi & Álvaro Choi & Marco Paccagnella, 2018. "The evolution of gender gaps in numeracy and literacy between childhood and adulthood," OECD Education Working Papers 184, OECD Publishing.
    4. Hannan, Damian F. & Breen, Richard & Murray, Barbara & Hardiman, Niamh & Watson, Dorothy & O'Higgins, Kathleen, 1983. "Schooling and Sex Roles: Sex Differences in Subject Provision and Student Choice in Irish Post-Primary Schools," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number GRS113.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender stereotypes; mathematics; teacher perception; parent perception; academic self-concept; academic performance;
    All these keywords.

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