Disenfranchised by Design: Exploring the Growing Gender Gap in Education

Abstract

The growing gender gap in education is a profoundly concerning problem. Contemporary metrics indicate that males are underrepresented in higher education and underperform in educational environments spanning all age groups. This problem is characterized by diminishing rates of enrollment, graduation, and academic struggles which disproportionally affect males. The worsening decline among males is an often overlooked and commonly ignored problem. This thesis aims to dissect the underlying problems exacerbating this trend in education, examine the gender gap as a facet of broader cultural disenfranchisement, and explore potential solutions to restore equilibrium in educational opportunities for both men and women. In this paper we explore the various complexities of this growing issue and advocate for new strategies which may mitigate the widening divide.