In 2000 Voices,
Mee took note that there were specific traits both inside
and outside of the classroom that pertained specifically to
either boys or girls. Some of the differences were to be
expected, and some of them caught us off guard. The
differences between the sexes varied in multiple areas such
as: Power: Boys saw it as a
sign of physical prowess whereas girls found it to be other
things like popularity or an intangible entity. Control: Boys saw the
control as the national powers and girls thought it more to
be their parents and teachers. Important to know: Boys
thought more in the likes of academics whereas girls thought
more of worldly issues like safe sex and knowing who you
were friends are. Life goals: Boys and
girls want to get married, but the difference was in how
they approached the idea. Boys were more interested in
describing their wife and the number of kids that they would
have whereas girls romanticized more. Movies: Surprise
surprise, the boys preferred action movies to the girls
romantic movies. "The best thing about my
gender..." Boys: "have more
oppurtunities, can do more things than girls, take things
easier, that boys rule, our sports ability, no PMS, we are
stronger, and we can't get pregnant" Girls: "hair, makeup,
being pretty, having long hair, going shopping, pretty
things, being able to have babies, and looking
sexy" The differences between
the sexes: (Both sides were quick to
note the physical features) Boys: "height, no PMS,
personalities, men are smarter, women wear makeup and men
don't, hair, boys are better, we act different, men are
stronger, and feelings" Girls: "hair, having to
lose last name when getting married, boys don't wear makeup,
boys are more competitive, rights, boys are meaner, male
ego, personalities and thought" Girls think survival
techniques are important to know; boys regard knowledge and
how to do things as important to know. Boys have a variety of
celebrated role models while girls note very few celebrated
women as role models. Girls write longer
responses and in greater detail than boys. Other Topics Young
Adolescents Perception of School Young
Adolescents Perceptions of Family