Why do boys hate reading?

[Ell]

It's simple...reading is for dorks....

Sadly, this is the perception. My older son was/is a voracious reader. He was reading before he started school. At the end of grade one, he was assessed with a reading level equivalent to grade five. By the time he got to grade three, he decided it wasn't cool to be called 'vocabulary' man. As in, "Ask D, he'll know what that means. Hahaha." Thankfully, he didn't stop reading. But he pretended that he didn't read so his friends would stop bugging him. This 'dorky' perception really needs to go.

BTW, to this day, he can read circles around me - twice as fast with a comprehension level to die for!

 

[muggle]

I believe I agree with some of Moto's points. It takes time for things to change and in the "olden" days boys/men were expected to provide for the families and were more physical than women and did not have time for reading in general. They then were involved in sports when women were not. Nowadays things are more equal and both sexes are doing things that in the past only one generally did. For example only men were expected to participate in motorsports and now women are slowly breaking the "men only" barrier". Please take a few moments to take a look at the website in my signature.

There is no excuse for men NOT to read nowadays.

 

[Kookamoor]

By the time he got to grade three, he decided it wasn't cool to be called 'vocabulary' man. As in, "Ask D, he'll know what that means. Hahaha." Thankfully, he didn't stop reading. But he pretended that he didn't read so his friends would stop bugging him. This 'dorky' perception really needs to go.

Dejavu!! See this thread for more on that! That's so similar to what I went through. My reading comprehension was high, and it's hard to hide because at that age you talk a little differently from the other kids and it's difficult to "dumb yourself down". I think boys and girls go through that equally, though.

 

[Motokid]

There is no excuse for men NOT to read nowadays.

ESPN, ESPN2, SPIKETV, SPEEDTV, OLN...ice hockey's back...computer porn.... , computers, cable tv.....and the wife's "to do list"....kids....having to drive kids everywhere...work.....the need for exercise...the pursuit of female attention... ....beer...deep fryers...motorcycles...cars...

 

[muggle]

ESPN, ESPN2, SPIKETV, SPEEDTV, OLN...ice hockey's back...computer porn.... , computers, cable tv.....and the wife's "to do list"....kids....having to drive kids everywhere...work.....the need for exercise...the pursuit of female attention... ....beer...deep fryers...motorcycles...cars...

And women can list just as many reasons but it is still no excuse.

 

[curiouswonder]

Another factor is the lack of men who choose to read. Whether due a perceived lack of time or interest, boys don't see their fathers read and as a result, don't feel a need for it themselves.
My oldest son (who is 9) sees me reading all of the time and thinks that is part of what "being a guy" is because Dad does it. His best friend's Dad would much rather play video games and so that's what his friend tends to think "being a guy" is.
Obviously that's not universal (my Dad didn't read much), but I do think it is a contributing factor.

 

[Motokid]

Another factor is the lack of men who choose to read. Whether due a perceived lack of time or interest, boys don't see their fathers read and as a result, don't feel a need for it themselves.
My oldest son (who is 9) sees me reading all of the time and thinks that is part of what "being a guy" is because Dad does it. His best friend's Dad would much rather play video games and so that's what his friend tends to think "being a guy" is.
Obviously that's not universal (my Dad didn't read much), but I do think it is a contributing factor.

Interesting point, but I have to think peer pressure is a much bigger determinant than anything else.

Boys who are smart are ridiculed. Boys that would rather sit and read, verses go out and play on the playground are teased, bullied, and picked on. Boy's who are loners get picked on. If you can't throw a ball, or catch it, or run fast, or kick something inflated you are probably going to be labeled in such a way that life could get real miserable real fast.

The ability to spell well, or read fast is just a ticket to pain and humiliation for the most part...at least through high school age.

Sad, but mostly true.

How many athletes that are dumber than a post can the average kid name verses how many scholars who've changed the world through intellectual pursuits?

 

[abecedarian]

Interesting point, but I have to think peer pressure is a much bigger determinant than anything else.

Boys who are smart are ridiculed. Boys that would rather sit and read, verses go out and play on the playground are teased, bullied, and picked on. Boy's who are loners get picked on. If you can't throw a ball, or catch it, or run fast, or kick something inflated you are probably going to be labeled in such a way that life could get real miserable real fast.

The ability to spell well, or read fast is just a ticket to pain and humiliation for the most part...at least through high school age.

Sad, but mostly true.

How many athletes that are dumber than a post can the average kid name verses how many scholars who've changed the world through intellectual pursuits?

Curiouswonder and Moto are both correct. I think family culture and how much value is placed on intellectual pursuits are very influential in how children of both sexes pursue their own education. But peers and media are just as important. This is where parents have to step in and teach the kids how to weed out the chaff from these various influences. Balance is important in all areas of life and it has to be modeled as well as taught.

 

[SFG75]

No need to go into the ins and outs of a cat's ass on this one. It's simple: girls are more intelligent than boys.

As a teacher, I can definitely see your point. Girls are at a younger age more social, more likely to read more fluently, as well as be able to interact with you in a way that boys.....just can't attitude wise. At the same time, I know enough boys who are highly intelligent(one is going to MIT, the other to Washington & Lee) and who can engage any adult in an intelligent conversation. I also have female students who can only speak of their hair, what they wear, as well as what they are doing on the weekends. I'd say for the most part, this is correct in terms of development between the genders at certain points and time, though over time, those differences even out with other factors and maturity.

 

[SFG75]

Cost cutting so that only the shitty books get the promotion and hype, MTV, reality TV, computer games, and fat redneck parents.

Good god do I hate them!. The guy on disability without his shirt on letting the world see his flab while his wife is working two minimum wage jobs. They turn up the t.v. and radio at full blast, spend no time reading with the kids, and then wonder why in the hell their kids aren't proficient with their peers on standardized tests. And part of you wants to say-Look!, put on your damn shirt, get a job, turn off the t.v., learn how to read, and then read to your kid like you actually value them and their future you fat, lazy, walking argument for birth control!. ArrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhH!!!!!!!.

 

[abecedarian]

Good god do I hate them!. The guy on disability without his shirt on letting the world see his flab while his wife is working two minimum wage jobs. They turn up the t.v. and radio at full blast, spend no time reading with the kids, and then wonder why in the hell their kids aren't proficient with their peers on standardized tests. And part of you wants to say-Look!, put on your damn shirt, get a job, turn off the t.v., learn how to read, and then read to your kid like you actually value them and their future you fat, lazy, walking argument for birth control!. ArrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhH!!!!!!!.

don't forget the part where they blame the teachers for Johnny and Janie's lack of skills! (Hey just because I homeschool please don't think I hate teachers).

 

[SFG75]

Another factor is the lack of men who choose to read. Whether due a perceived lack of time or interest, boys don't see their fathers read and as a result, don't feel a need for it themselves.

I can totally see and relate to this. My parents divorced when I was younger and I grew up with tons of books with my mother. Not to mention Time, National Geographic, Newsweek, all that stuff was in front of me. I tried out for baseball teams and never made the cut. When your mother is a Ph.D. candidate and you spend your times together reading or have books around a lot, you aren't necessarily working on how to throw that curve ball to make the team. Likewise, I see a lot of fathers helping their kids perfect their son's swing, but I don't see them working on language or reading skills.

 

[SFG75]

don't forget the part where they blame the teachers for Johnny and Janie's lack of skills! (Hey just because I homeschool please don't think I hate teachers).

I think homeschooling is great and for those who do it, my hat is off to you. While I know our school does a heck of a job, I know that others don't. It's all about location. A school will reflect the habits, interests, and values of the town it inhabits every time. We have a school less than 15 miles from us and it's known for it's drop out rate, poor rate of high school grad attendees, and discipline troubles-then again, so is the town!. It jus goes to show....

 

[cajunmama]

This is just one of my many reasons for going back to school. When my kids see that I tackle homework with gusto and am overjoyed at A's, I hope they'll be more likely to do the same. I can't wait for my kids to see me graduate from college!! I live in an area where trade school is the norm, not university. I want my kids to see the difference between white collar and blue collar, and although college isn't for everyone, and the world needs blue-collar workers, I want them to know that they can do it, whatever it is.

 

[SFG75]

This is just one of my many reasons for going back to school. When my kids see that I tackle homework with gusto and am overjoyed at A's, I hope they'll be more likely to do the same. I can't wait for my kids to see me graduate from college!! I live in an area where trade school is the norm, not university. I want my kids to see the difference between white collar and blue collar, and although college isn't for everyone, and the world needs blue-collar workers, I want them to know that they can do it, whatever it is.

The theme of notions we need to deep-six is an interesting one, and along with "reading is dorky" I would include several that relate to what you've posted.

*Everyone at 19 is ready for college

*Everyone who is 19 should attend college

*You are too old to go to college

I have a few nephews and nieces who grew up who experienced some hardshsip. They knew what their parents went through and the choices that they made early in life and how that translated to limited success much later in life. I have a nephew who is in military intelligence right now and will receive money for his college education. From his mother, he learned first hand how hard it is to really pull down a heck of a good income and earn enough to be relatively comfortable. We are all very proud of him for what he is doing and for what his future plans are.

 

[WoundedThorns]

maybe it is about the stereotypes. but maybe its the type of books that boys are forced to read in school. my last bf was the most intellegent lazy guy i knew. but he read those fantasy series on a daily basis.

 

[SFG75]

maybe it is about the stereotypes. but maybe its the type of books that boys are forced to read in school. my last bf was the most intellegent lazy guy i knew. but he read those fantasy series on a daily basis.

In reading your reply, it reminds me of a student that I currently have. In his class, the cool thing is to not get good grades or to participate in class. He does the "simple bull" practice very convincingly, but he really knows the material every day. I know because whenever I ask a question, his eyes just radiate with the "I know the answer" look and he aces tests while his friends get 20% scores. While he has the intelligence to do it, he doesn't have the emotional intelligence to be a maverick and change friends.

 

[Kookamoor]

While he has the intelligence to do it, he doesn't have the emotional intelligence to be a maverick and change friends.

I like this quote. I think you could also say "change his friends" - if he suddenly revelled in his work, you never know... they may get the message that it's okay to excell. That's what happened at my high school in 11th or 12th grade. Suddenly it was okay to excell and want to do well. I think it had a lot to do with the oncoming university entrance scores, and the fact that everyone wanted to get into a good school.

 

[Motokid]

The "smart" problem may be washing over into the female world as well...

read here

 

[abecedarian]

The "smart" problem may be washing over into the female world as well...

read here

Sadly, this is all blending in with the "Reading is Dorky" thread.. Specially in middle school, I remember the smartest kids being treated horribly by the same kids who wanted them to "help" them with homework or tests.