Nursery World - Little differences

Good Practice We need to clarify how much the differences between girls and boys really matter, says Jennie Lindon

We need to clarify how much the differences between girls and boys really matter, says Jennie Lindon

There are three related questions about boys' and girls' development and these issues are often muddled in conversation or argument on the topic: 1 Are boys and girls different from each other? If so, how?

2 If there are differences, are they explained by biology or social learning, or a combination of the two?

3 Does it matter if indeed there are some sex differences?

Of course, in one important way girls and boys do differ. Girls become women; boys become men. Part of children's growing sense of identity must include a positive outlook on the adults they will become. However, there seem to be some broad, average differences from very early childhood between girls' and boys' brain development and behaviour. But - and it is a very big but:

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