A study by psychologists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology showed that female students in primary school feel more comfortable in school than boys. The survey involved 1,620 children aged six to nine years (average age — 7.5 years). This is reported by EJSER.
Researchers assessed the well-being and sense of safety of schoolchildren using a special scale. Children were asked about the presence of friends, their attitude towards studies, and their feeling of safety in class and during breaks. It turned out that the higher the sense of security, the more happiness, interest in school, and overall well-being a child experiences. The strongest connection was observed between the feeling of safety in school overall and during breaks.
Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson suggested that the differences may be explained not only by upbringing but also by biological factors. Girls more often receive dopamine through communication, while boys place greater importance on physical activity: due to higher testosterone levels, they have a stronger need for release. This is supported by Icelandic school projects that increased physical activity, during which children's well-being improved regardless of gender.
Differences are also observed in self-assessment of academic achievements. Girls demonstrate better results and confidence in reading and natural sciences. In mathematics, interest is equal, but boys with similar grades are more likely to consider themselves stronger. Physical education is the only subject that boys enjoy significantly more. At the same time, children indeed learn better what interests them, and emotional comfort and a sense of safety directly influence academic success.
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