Abstract

This study entitled the effect of Gender Differentiation on Students Academic Performance on Science subjects is to find out how the effect of gender differentiation on students’ academic performance in science subjects.

This study would be of vital importance to educational policymakers. It provides them with insight into the negative repercussions of gender stereotyping on female students’ performance in science subjects, it would enable them to formulate more informed policies regarding the teaching and learning of the sciences.

This study could thus contribute towards the inclusion of gender considerations in the policy maker’s debate on the way forward in the study of science subjects in schools. This study could also make teachers be less biased in the way they perceive students especially girls. Thus making them learn not to concentrate only one stay attention generally to all the students in the classroom.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 1.1 Background Of The Study

Gender refers to the sex of a person that is either being male or female. In the context of this study, the male shall be limited to boys while the female to girls. Boys and girls are born with a biological differences, which makes them basically different. All other gender differences are created by society and often result in a state of inequality in opportunities for boys and girls.

The issue of gender differentiation dates back to time immemorial. In almost every age and society, certain characteristics have been attributed to boys and girls, such that a particular pattern of behavior, dressing, and living is expected of every individual, depending on the person’s sex.

Consequently, people grow up adapting to these societal expectations and by so doing limit the range of potential opportunities open to them. In Africa, this affects all aspects of life from education to sports. It is believed that boys are naturally tougher than girls in all aspects, a belief that plays negatively on girls’ perception of their own capabilities.

In a school setting, these perceptions play out in the school actors’ attitudes in handling the so-called more difficult science subjects. Boys are expected to perform well in mathematics, physics, and chemistry whereas; girls would be expected to excel in arts such as languages, history. These assumptions of male superiority over females create gender stereotyping that is, affording boys better opportunities and encouragement in the sciences to the detriment of the girls.

Gender differentiation too comes in with social backgrounds because families that are poor at times would not like to encourage or give opportunities for their female children in the sciences due to the expensive nature of science textbooks and the laboratory equipment and fees that need to be paid every year.

Ethnic beliefs also play a role in gender differentiation issues as various tribes and parts of the world have beliefs that would site them. In some communities, access to education for girls is a real problem as it is not considered an important or high priority for girls who are neither supported nor encouraged in the pursuit of their studies.

Not affording girls the opportunity to study at all will not bring out any of their potentials and negativity for them. Apart from the variables mentioned above, there is also social exclusions; which involve being excluded or exempted from doing something. These exemptions may result because the boys think they are superior to girls or would want to prove certain points to their peers. This exclusion from social gatherings greatly contributes to gender differentiation and often affects student’s academic performances.

This gender issue or differentiation has been an issue for a long time and it is still in the present day. Women are standing up to demand equality of rights with men in all aspects of life, as they are girls that would leave school early or would not even go, are sexually abused and exploited, have fewer powers and rights than men. Thus making the gender issues prominent over the centuries and worth researching to try and wipe them out or stamp them out of the society which created most of the issues in the first place.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Gender differentiation (discrimination or inequality), has been a serious problem around the world and in Africa in particular over the centuries, for the women who have been fighting the ills of society especially gender discrimination. Gender differentiation issues such as stereotyping, social exclusions, social backgrounds, and ethnic beliefs manifest in schools today as boys would assume superiority over girls most especially in the sciences.

In schools or even in classroom settings, boys exclude girls from their gatherings which do not bode well for their self-esteem. Therefore, I want to find out how gender differentiation affects students’ academic performance in science subjects.

1.3 Purpose Of The Study

This study is intended to find out how gender differentiation (stereotyping, social backgrounds, ethnic beliefs, and social exclusions) affects students’ academic performance in science subjects. It is intended to empower girls to overcome gender inequality and encourage girls to be more outspoken, more outgoing, and interacting well in society.

1.4 Main Objective

Is to find out how the effect of gender differentiation on students academic performance in a science subject.

1.4.1Specific Objectives

1. To find out how gender stereotyping affects student’s academic performance in science subjects.
2. To find out how ethnic beliefs affect student’s academic performance in science subjects.
3. To find out how social exclusions affect student’s academic performance in science subjects.

1.5 Research Questions

1.5.1 Main Research Question

How does gender differentiation affect student academic performance in science subjects?

 1.5.2 Specific Research Question

1. How does gender stereotyping affect student’s academic performance in science subjects?
2. How do ethnic beliefs affect student’s academic performance in science subjects?
3. How do social exclusions affect student’s academic performance in science subjects?