And, finally, some of my own thoughts (originally composed in a reply email):
Hmm...I can see the arguments from both sides: women should not be held to different admission standards based on their gender, and it is an inherent requisite for any organization who provides education based on the credo of equal learning for all to keep admission rates even between males and females.
Regardless, I feel it boils down to this: even in the interest to maintain a balance in student population, if more females are applying to school, then there is absolutely no reason they should have their hard work held against them. The best applicants are the ones who should be admitted, and if the top prospects are more female than male, then that's how this should be.
I feel like this is another instance in which educational "gaps" in later education (high school and college) really boils down to the root of the issue, which exists years before these "trends" gain noticeable attention. With the "racial gap", predominantly white (read: middle-to-upper class) students enter kindergarten with an unbelievable advantage over non-white (read: poor, low-SES) students in vocabulary, manners, educational opportunities, etc because of their household environment and educational values (not to mention the countless opportunities that money provides for those who have it). With this "gender gap", it boils down to the fact that middle and high school boys do not apply themselves (or, more acutely, do not see the need to apply themselves) to succeed in the same way that their female counterparts do. (Excuse the fact all of these statements are, for the most part, sweeping generalizations.)
Many young males (and young females, for that matter) in schools see grown men in positions of power, or what our society holds to be important roles. I feel that for some females, this image partly serves as a catalyst for determination to succeed and surpass prejudiced expectations for female achievement, not to mention encouraging others (male and female) to help right the ship of gender inequality. On the other hand, for many males, seeing these images of men holding societal power serves to reaffirm a shallow and ill-advised belief that being a male in our society will grant you whatever power you need to be successful (supported by the many studies have pointed out this idea of male (and white) entitlement exists beyond a doubt).
So often in a school setting (especially in an English classroom), I see a tremendous effort to snag seemingly unmotivated young guys to read, write, and practice multiple forms of literacy. Although, as a male, I am rightfully admittedly sympathetic to this issue, I often wonder whether we are neglecting female students by doing so.
The parallel of math and science achievement comes to mind. For years there was the concept that men were simply better at math and science than women. Then, over time, and over positive and rightful efforts that still continue today, the pendulum began to shift: female students found more support from their teachers in subjects such as math and science and soon found the pendulum of gendered academic success swinging towards the middle. Although the concept of male supremacy in certain subjects has not yet been erased, it's closer to a simple sense of equality than it was 20 to 30 years ago.
Now there are many efforts to bring up male reading and writing scores in subjects such as reading and language arts that have long been dominated by female students. I think we are in the right frame of mind to encourage young guys to read and write, but I hope we are not neglecting female students in this effort. Supporting both genders when attempting to raise a specific aptitude of only one gender is a tricky line to walk, but it shouldn't be.
We need to strike a balance between inspiring unmotivated male youth and continuing to encourage, and most importantly, support female youth in celebrating academic accomplishments and encouraging further educational endeavors. By raising standards for female college admissions (to, in short, balance student populations on campus) is a direct violation of the concept of balanced support. Right now, it seems that women are more interested in higher education. This should be supported. This should also be a rallying call for educational activists to encourage young male students to achieve success in higher education, but it should not at all hurt the chances of female applicants applying to college.
If men aren't interested in college right now, then tough. Support those applicants who are determined to continue their education, even if it means an disproportional balance in student populations.
I commented on Facebook. Hopefully well.
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