Abstract

This study investigated whether parents have gendered constructs related to mathematics. Parents and their kindergarten-aged children from three primary schools in Sydney were interviewed to see what their understandings of boys’ and girls’ interests and abilities in mathematics were. Parents completed the Who and Mathematics questionnaire and were interviewed to determine if there were any gendered understandings and exactly what they were. The data shows that parents believe that boys are more likely to have an aptitude and interest in mathematics. In contrast, girls are perceived as more anxious, harder workers and in addition, that they have to work harder to do well in mathematics.

Keywords

education, mathematics, gendered constructs, study

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