Far from the traditional image of a culture of aggressive masculinity (阳刚) in which students either sink or swim, the absence of girls gives boys the chance to develop without pressure to conform (符合) to a stereotype, a US study says. Boys at single-sex schools were said to be more likely to get involved in cultural and artistic activities that helped develop their emotional expressiveness, rather than feeling they had to conform to the “boy code” of hiding their emotions to be a “real man”.
The findings of the study go against received wisdom that boys do better when taught alongside girls.
Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, warned that boys were being faded by the British education system because it had become too focused on girls. He criticized teachers for failing to recognize that boys are actually more emotional than girls. The research argued that boys often perform badly in mixed schools because they become discouraged when their female peers do better earlier in speaking and reading skills.
But in single-sex schools teachers can tailor lessons to boys’ learning style, letting them move around the classroom and getting them to compete in teams to prevent boredom, wrote the study’s author, Abigail James, of the University of Virginia.
Teachers could encourage boys to enjoy reading and writing with specifically “boy-focused” approaches such as themes and characters that appeal to them. Because boys generally have more acute vision, learn best through touch, and are physically more active, they need to be given “hands-on” lessons where they are allowed to walk around. “Boys in mixed schools view classical music as feminine (女性的) and prefer the modern style in which violence and sexism are major themes,” James wrote.
Single-sex education also made it less likely that boys would feel they had to conform to a stereotype that men should be “masterful and in charge” in relationships. “In mixed schools boys feel forced to act like men before they understand themselves well enough to know what that means,” the study reported.
32. What does Tony Little say about the British education system?
A. It makes girls less emotional than boys.
B. It fails more boys than girls academically.
C. It fails to give boys the attention they need.
D. It places more pressure on boys than on girls.
33. According to Abigail James, boys perform better in single-sex schools because ________.
A. boys can choose to learn whatever they are interested in
B. boys focus more on their lessons without being disturbed
C. teaching quality is relatively higher than in mixed schools
D. teaching can be designed to suit the characteristics of boys
34. Which of the following is NOT characteristic of boys?
A. Boys have sharper vision. B. Boys enjoy being in charge.
C. Boys like “hands-on” lessons. D. Boys prefer physical activities.
35. What is mainly discussed in the passage?
A. Problems boys may have in mixed schools.
B. Boys’ physical and mental growth in school.
C. Advantages of single-sex education for boys.
D. Boys’ disadvantages over girls in mixed schools.