Skip to main content

Commentary on the Chapter by Gabriele Kaiser, Maren Hoffstall, and Anna B. Orschulik, “Gender Role Stereotypes in the Perception of Mathematics: Results of an Empirical Study with Secondary Students in Germany”

  • Chapter
Towards Equity in Mathematics Education

Part of the book series: Advances in Mathematics Education ((AME))

  • 2470 Accesses

Abstract

Since the mid-1970s gender differences favouring males in mathematics achievement at all levels of schooling and participation at post-compulsory levels of schooling have declined around the world. Yet gender differences in mathematics self-efficacy that favour males have remained intransigent, and the gender stereotyping of mathematics proficiency and interest persist. The study by Kaiser, Hoffstall and Orschulik is the latest in a series of studies commencing in the mid-1970s (Fennema and Sherman 1977) to provide evidence of higher self-concept in mathematics for male students compared to female students, and male stereotyped views of mathematics learning and achievement, especially among senior secondary aged students.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Boaler, J. (2008). Promoting ‘relational equity’ and high mathematics achievement through an innovative mixed ability approach. British Educational Research Journal, 34(2), 167–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burton, L. (1995). Moving towards a feminist epistemology of mathematics. In P. Rogers & G. Kaiser (Eds.), Equity in mathematics education: Influences of feminism and culture (pp. 209–226). London: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, L. (1999). Fables: The tortoise? The hare? The mathematically underachieving male? Gender and Education, 11(4), 413–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day, M. (1997). From the experiences of women mathematicians: A feminist epistemology for mathematics. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Massey University, New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fennema, E., & Peterson, P. (1983). Autonomous learning behavior: A possible explanation of sex-related differences in mathematics. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 16(3), 309–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fennema, E., & Sherman, J. (1977). Sex-related differences in mathematics achievement, spatial visualization and affective factors. American Educational Research Journal, 14, 51–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forgasz, H. (1995). Gender and the relationship between affective beliefs and perceptions of grade 7 mathematics classroom learning environments. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 28, 219–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forgasz, H. J. (2002). Computers for the learning of mathematics: Equity considerations. In B. Barton, K. Irwin, M. Pfannkuch & M. Thomas (Eds.), Mathematics education in the South Pacific. Auckland: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forgasz, H. J., Leder, G. C., & Kloosterman, P. (2004). New perspectives on the gender stereotyping of mathematics. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 6(4), 389–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forgasz, H., Leder, G. C. & Vale, C. (2000). Gender and mathematics: Changing perspectives. In K. Owens & J. Mousley (Eds.), Mathematics education research in Australasia: 1996–1999 (pp. 305–340). Turramurra: Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschmann, N. (2003). The subject of liberty: Toward a feminist theory of freedom. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jungwirth, H. (1991). Interaction and gender—Findings of a microethnographical approach to classroom discourse. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 22, 263–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leder, G. C. (1982). Mathematics achievement and fear of success. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 13(2), 124–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leder, G. C. (1993). Teacher/student interactions in the mathematics classroom: A different perspective. In E. Fennema & G. Leder (Eds.), Mathematics and gender (pp. 149–168). Brisbane: Queensland University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2004). Learning for tomorrow’s world: First results from PISA 2003. Paris: OECD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodd, M., & Bartholomew, H. (2006). Invisible and special: Young women’s experiences as undergraduate mathematics students. Gender and Education, 18(1), 35–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shannon, F. (2004). Classics counts over calculus: A case study. In I. Putt, R. Faragher & M. McLean (Eds.), Mathematics education for the third millennium: Towards 2010 (pp. 509–516). Pymble: MERGA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teese, R. (2000). Academic success and social power: Examinations and inequality. Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, S., Cresswell, J., & de Bortoli, L., (2004). Facing the future: A focus on mathematical literacy among Australian 15-year-old students in PISA 2003. Camberwell, Australia: ACER.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vale, C. (2002). Girls back off mathematics again: the views and experiences of girls in computer based mathematics. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 14(3), 52–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walls, F. (2010). Freedom to choose? Girls, mathematics and the gendered construction of mathematical identity. In H. Forgasz, J. Rossi-Becker, O. Steinthorsdottir & K.-H. Lee (Eds.), International perspectives on gender and mathematics education (pp. 87–110). Charlotte: Information Age Publishing Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watt, H. M. G. (2006). The role of motivation in gendered educational and occupational trajectories related to maths. Educational Research and Evaluation, 12(4), 305–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Colleen Vale .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vale, C. (2012). Commentary on the Chapter by Gabriele Kaiser, Maren Hoffstall, and Anna B. Orschulik, “Gender Role Stereotypes in the Perception of Mathematics: Results of an Empirical Study with Secondary Students in Germany”. In: Forgasz, H., Rivera, F. (eds) Towards Equity in Mathematics Education. Advances in Mathematics Education. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27702-3_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics