Analyzing the Gender Gap in Higher Education
This analytical study compares the education achievement gap between black males and females to that of their white counterparts (ages 18-24). A postsecondary education is profoundly beneficial for those educated as well as society as a whole (Fullinwider & Lichtenberg 2004). Nevertheless, in 2005, the United States Department of Education reported that there are more females (70%) enrolled in higher education than males (30%) nationally. This study also assesses college students' awareness of the gender gap. Since the 1960's, affirmative action has attempted to create parity in regard to race and social diversity. More recently, gender weighting has been introduced to American society in order to alleviate the social problem of males' educational divergence. The hypothesis of this analysis is that the assumptions for both the black and white gender achievement gaps are quite different. After utilizing a survey, statistics, and a literature review, the researcher's hypothesis was supported. This study indicates that 60% of the students surveyed do not believe that the gender gap affects them.
School:
Grambling State University
Department:
Sociology
Research Advisor:
James D. Anderson
Department of Research Advisor:
Educational Policy Studies
Year of Publication:
2006