Gabrielle Ambrose- ED PSYCH- Article Review

Gabrielle Ambrose- ED PSYCH 401- Chapter 4/5 and article: The Myth of Pink and Blue Brains by Lise Eliot

       My topic of choice is gender. I read the article: The Myth of Pink and Blue Brains by Lise Eliot. Lise Eliot is the associate professor of neuroscience at the Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University. It is quite clear that the author of this article is trying to reach educators of all grades: K-12. Many teachers create bias for genders and Lise is attempting to eliminate these biases through showing the true differences of boys and girls. The author assumes that there are gender gaps in academic performance that vary considerably by age, ethnicity and nationality. She also assumes and states that three early biases are programmed by prenatal hormone exposure or by sex- specific gene expression. The biases include the following: baby boys are more physically active than girls, toddler girls speak one month earlier (on average) than boys and boys appear more spatially aware. She supports these claims through revealing different types of research that has been conducted that have recorded and viewed this evidence. Our classroom text, Educational Psychology by Jeanne E. Ormrod, greatly supports the information presented in this article. In fact, the information from the text and the information in the article align almost perfectly.

            I agree with the author of the article when she stated that teachers need to treat gender bias seriously. She says specifically that in all reality, “Culture, attitudes and practices influence boy-girl academic gaps for more than prenatal testosterone does” (Eliot 36). She goes on to state that when teachers realize this reality, we can bring out the best in every unique child. This passage fully supports my interpretation of the author’s argument. This passage also echoes my own discourse about gender.

            I was extremely surprised by the author’s suggestion to bring more men into the classroom. While I am aware that teaching is a female-dominated profession in many ways, I highly doubt that bringing more males into the classroom would increase students/ academic abilities. I wish the author of the article would back up her argument here with research-based evidence. I do agree with her comments, however, that bringing more fathers and adult males into the elementary classes would heighten boy’s intellectual engagement to an extent.

            Overall, Eliot brings to the surface the bias that surrounds gender among educators. Through eliminating these biases and expressing equality of genders in the classroom, teachers will be able to bring out the best in every student.