When do girls fall behind in maths? Gigantic study pinpoints the moment

a year ago

A large study in France reveals that the 'mathematical gender gap' begins in the first year of school.
Boys and girls start with similar math scores, but boys pull ahead within four months, with a more significant gap after 12 months.
The study suggests that environmental factors in school, not innate differences, are responsible for the gap.
Recommendations to address the gap include reducing math anxiety, encouraging equal participation, and fostering curiosity outside the classroom.
The study analyzed nearly three million children across different cohorts, socioeconomic groups, and regions, showing the gap's universality.
The gap's emergence is linked to the start of formal education, not age, as shown by comparing children born just days apart in different school years.
Researchers emphasize the need for broad policy interventions to address the gap, as it affects all groups universally.

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