Worldwide study finds few gender differences in math abilities

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/apa-wsf010510.php

Public release date: 5-Jan-2010
Contact: Audrey Hamilton
American Psychological Association
Worldwide study finds few gender differences in math abilities
Gender gaps linked to status of women, according to new analysis

WASHINGTON – Girls around the world are not worse at math than boys, even though boys are more confident in their math abilities, and girls from countries where gender equity is more prevalent are more likely to perform better on mathematics assessment tests, according to a new analysis of international research.

"Stereotypes about female inferiority in mathematics are a distinct contrast to the actual scientific data," said Nicole Else-Quest, PhD, a psychology professor at Villanova University, and lead author of the meta-analysis. "These results show that girls will perform at the same level as the boys when they are given the right educational tools and have visible female role models excelling in mathematics."

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