Although women still lag behind men in earning doctoral degrees, more than half of all bachelor's and master's degrees are awarded to women. But girls outperform boys by 13 points in reading and 24 points in writing. Girls outnumber boys in all extracurricular activities except for sports and hobby clubs, according to the 1996 Digest of Educational Statistics. That, too, is changing. More boys than girls drop out of school, according to the 1992 Digest of Educational Statistics.
Boys are more likely than girls to be robbed, threatened or attacked.
Just about every pathology, including alcoholism and drug abuse, hits boys harder. It is true that girls are four to five times more likely than boys to attempt suicide, as reported by the Wellesley Report. It is also true, however, that boys succeed more often. Finally, no one needs reminding who brings guns to school and kills classmates. No one needs reminding which kids were ceaselessly bullied and tormented.