Abstract of

“Not Just Boring Stories”: Reconsidering the Gender Gap for Boys

Donna Lester Taylor

This article provides a summary of current research regarding literacy issues that boys face and offers practices and strategies that might help bridge the literacy gap for boys. The article began as a result of the author's son's struggles with literacy. By sharing Gabe's story, this teacher and researcher examines the issues he and other boys face and recounts how schools are failing to meet the literacy needs of many boys in the United States today. Through a survey of current research, the author argues that much can be done to bridge the literacy gap for boys. She concludes that we must broaden our definitions of literacy to include boys' out-of-school literacy experiences and interests and employ innovative teaching strategies that build upon boys' interests in ways that are sensitive to their individual learning pace and style as well as their developmental and emotional needs. Then we may be more likely to instill in boys a lifelong love of reading.

Abstract from Taylor, D. (2004, December). “Not Just Boring Stories”: Reconsidering the Gender Gap for Boys. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 48(4), 290–298. doi: 10.1598/JAAL.48.4.2