It has become known why boys perform worse academically than girls

The influence of friends on academic performance: why boys study worse than girls - sensational findings of a new study from the Netherlands. The work of sociologist Margriet van Hek from the University of Nijmegen is published in the prestigious scientific journal Research in Social Stratification and Mobility.

The study revealed a clear pattern: the more frequently a teenager's social circle breaks rules, the more rapidly their academic performance declines. Moreover, boys' friends demonstrate more problematic behavior than girls' friends.

Margriet van Hek conducted a large-scale analysis of data from more than ten thousand teenagers aged 14-16 from four European countries: the Netherlands, Germany, England, and Sweden. Through consecutive surveys, the scientist was able to track how friends' behavior affects school grades a year later. A particularly striking contrast is observed in the study of native language: in all countries studied, boys consistently lag behind girls. In mathematics, the picture is different – boys show a slight advantage, which, however, decreases at the age of 14-15.

Bad behavior

"Negative behavior of friends is contagious," explains the researcher. "If you start skipping classes, your academic performance inevitably decreases. Thus, friends' bad behavior indirectly affects grades. There is also a direct effect: even disciplined teenagers suffer due to the inappropriate behavior of their social circle. For example, when a teacher cannot fully explain the material due to disciplinary violations in the classroom."

Popularity

Van Hek links the negative influence of peers on boys' academic performance to traditional gender stereotypes: "Boys' problematic behavior is directly related to societal expectations. To achieve popularity, they need to demonstrate physical strength, not submit to authorities or engage in 'girly' activities: listening attentively to the teacher, studying diligently, reading books. These stereotypes cause real harm: boys demonstrate lower academic performance, have poorer language skills, and are more likely to drop out of school without obtaining a diploma. As a result, their employment prospects significantly worsen. It is critically important that politicians, educational institution leaders, and teachers recognize this. Schools should create an atmosphere where students of any gender freely choose interests and behavioral models."

In conclusion, the researcher noted the need for further study of traditional gender norms in the school environment and peer pressure. "This will allow a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying my conclusions," she emphasized.