Understanding the Boys

John Head is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at King’s College London. A former secondary school teacher, he has undertaken research into aspects of gender and education for twenty years, most recently with respect to the issues of underachievement and behaviour of boys. Through in-service work with teachers, he has been concerned to develop practical strategies for classroom use.

• PART I Identifying the Issues 1 Introduction and Overview 2 Biological Effects 3 Personal History: Childhood and Adolescence 4 Social Relations and the Social World 5 The Male Psyche 6 What is New? PART II Addressing the Issues 7 Academic Achievement 8 Schooling and Behaviour 9 Boys at the Margins 10 Understanding the Boys

'... Head's book provides a useful critique of other theorists and an intelligent summary of current debate ... [He] is adept at cutting through the work of others to find the most useful points for action ... His most powerful theme is the importance of helping boys to understand their psychological make-up'. - The Times Educational Supplement'I found this book to be an excellent guide in 'understanding the boys'. I would recommend it as compulsory reading for current teachers as well as those currently training in our teacher training institutions.' - British Educational Research Journal