In an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times, Claudia Buchmann and Thomas DiPrete, authors of The Rise of Women, discuss the gap in educational achievement between men and women. Women generally outperform men academically at all levels of school, and they currently earn 58% of bachelor's degrees and 62% of postsecondary occupational certificates. As concern about educational gains in the U.S. grows, Buchmann and DiPrete argue that policymakers need to focus more on young boys and men in school:

The underinvestment in education by adolescent boys and young men stems in part from out-of-date masculine stereotypes. Such things as a strong attachment to school, a feeling of closeness to teachers, an excessive interest in high academic achievement or a fondness for art or music are viewed by many young men as unmasculine.

In a recent survey of American 15-year-olds, 73% of adolescent girls expected to work in managerial, professional or higher technical jobs, versus only 53% of the boys. Boys were much more likely than girls (9% as opposed to 2%) to expect to make their living as athletes or work in other sports jobs or as musicians. Too many boys expected to be military officers, police officers or firefighters relative to demand, and boys were more likely to respond vaguely or not at all to the question of the job they expected to have at age 30.

In their book, Buchmann and DiPrete discuss possible ways to encourage boys to perform better in school, which includes offering clearer pathways that link academic credentials with good careers. You can read more about their research in the executive summary below.

Rise of Women: Executive Summary