Female Supremacy Articles - Page 5

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``I'm not attacking women. There is a problem with boys, it has been identified, and it shouldn't be surprising. Boys need to lift their game.''

Tauranga Girls' College principal Pauline Cowens would not comment specifically on Mr Young's comments.

``He's right about the research _ boys are lagging behind girls.''

But she saw the differing educational needs of boys and girls as being contextualised, not feminised. Context-based education meets the needs of students according to their life experience, not their gender.

Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell said he ``could see what Graham's getting at'' _ but was not sure if he agreed.

``At co-ed schools, girls take more opportunities.''``Since the 70s, and girls' `awakening', they have taken the bit by the teeth and run with it. Boys have stagnated: they have not failed but they have not improved.''

Mr Randell said a lack of male role models in some boys' lives had contributed to their poor academic achievement compared to girls.

``Schools reflect society,'' he said.

Former secondary school mathematics teacher and ACT MP Dr Muriel Newman applauded Mr Young for speaking out.

``He's put his finger on a big problem.''

Dr Newman described the feminist swing in education as ``like a steamroller that was meant to stop in the middle and has now gone too far'' and said the pendulum had swung too far in favour of girls.