Gender stereotypes in mathematics and language : critical review with regard to school success
This theoretical article exposes the extent of gender stereotypes favouring boys in mathematics and girls in language as well as their influence on students’ achievement and school trajectory. Comparison of different mathematics and language stereotype measures revealed that although students explicitly report low levels of stereotypes favouring boys in mathematics, they implicitly endorse these beliefs. Explicit and implicit measures also revealed that language is perceived as a female rather than male domain. The few studies conducted on the impact of gender stereotypes underline their effect on students’ motivation and school performance. The reviewed results are then discussed with regard to the Quebec school environment.