Op-Ed: High School Teacher and Mom on Why Boys Read Less Than Girls

Link to July 31 Charlotte Observer article, "Why won't Johnny read?"

Excerpt:  That boys read less than girls is no surprise. Nor is the fact that they do not read as well. For at least two decades, boys have lagged in standardized reading test scores, a gap that shows up in almost all states and is growing wider.

The reasons are many. Some researchers blame schools and the emphasis on visual and auditory learning styles - looking and listening to learn - instead of the way quite a few boys seem to learn best, by moving around and doing. Those kinesthetic/tactile learners are often less willing or able to sit still for long stretches of time, and reading effectively requires that kind of practice.

Another reason that boys read less has to do with the limits boys place on themselves. In my own experience as a mother of sons and as a high school teacher, I've noted that boys are less likely to read fiction than girls, and when they do, they do not choose stories with a female protagonist.

The social pressure and the unstated taboos concerning masculine identity may be at work, making boys leery about reading books that will label them as somehow being "girly." Girls, on the other hand, read all genres and don't seem to care whether or not a protagonist is male or female.

This doesn't seem to be an issue exclusive to young adult males.

A few 'boys to men' authors off the top of my head:

C. J. Box (The hat will certainly provide a level of masculine comfort.)

James Lee Burke  (Author is appropriately grizzled; old truck on the cover of one of his books.)

Tom Clancy  (Guns and ammo, the bigger the better)

Lee Child  (In my estimation, the manliest of toothbrush-totin', loner fiction heroes.  And Dick Hill captures Jack Reacher's essence in the audio versions of the series.)

Vince Flynn  (Solidly masculine titles -- Pursuit of Honor, Consent to Kill, Executive Power -- and cover art, although the author himself looks a bit overgroomed.)

Carl Hiaasen should be, but then there are those dang covers.   Not like to attract the uninitiated male reader.

Please add your suggestions to the list.