Reading gives results : exploring gender differences in reading habits and school achievement

Abstract

In this study it was investigated whether there is a relationship between reading habits, gender and school achievement. According to studies carried out outside Malta, boys read much less than girls and they get lower marks in their English Language examinations. This study tried to find out whether this is also the case locally. To this end the study focused on a boys' Junior Lyceum and a girls' Junior Lyceum and explored the relationship between their reading habits and their performance in their annual English examination. For this purpose the form four cohort in both schools chosen was surveyed. It was found that, in correlation to the studies carried out outside of Malta, boys do read less than girls and reading habits vary with gender. This affects their achievement, with boys getting lower marks in their English Language examination than girls due to the fact that girls read more than boys and have a more positive attitude towards reading since reading is stereotypically considered as a feminine activity.