Reverse Sexism? Girls and Boys in the Classroom

Christina Hoff Sommer's "The War Against Boys" brought up some fascinating subjects, and I am still unsure how I feel about some of them. Being born in 1988, I have been raised to believe that I can do anything that boys can do. My dad was my softball coach, always encouraging me and assuring me, and I have rarely felt as if I was disadvantaged because of my gender as I graduated high school. I did, however, see some of my classmates drop out, and the vast majority of them were males. My nerdy high school experience did allow me to experience at least one inequality; As a member of the debate team, traveling to state and national tournaments brought out the ugly truth that both myself and my female partner were consistently underestimated because of our gender. Apparently, females are not assertive or powerful, and are usually unable to participate in a cross examination in which we can properly and effectively defend our views while simultaneously bring down our opponents. I could not avoid seeing the excited and relieved eyes of our opponents as they realized that they were facing off against two 5"2 females.
   I do believe that females have overcome a great many disadvantages; however, I do think that after girls graduate high school, they are still vulnerable to a great many inequalities. I agree with Sommers that ideas that females "fall off an abyss" by the time that they are twelve is absolutely ridiculous. I was a constant victim to videos in health class warning against teenage bulimia, depression, anorexia, and drug abuse, all as a result of low self esteem. The very few videos that we were shown elaborating on male issues were all a result of peer pressure, however. Women partook in questionable behavior because they didn't feel as if they were good enough. Men, on the other hand, took drugs or drove fast because their "bros" were doing it. This idea, as well as the article, is proof that longstanding stereotypes are difficult to change. As 70's feminists asserted that females were lagging behind in the classroom, many took action. These changes have permanently altered the schoolyard landscape. However, our country has had a difficult time trying to adjust. Boys suffer just as much as traditional generalizations, and as they try to cope with the idea that they are violent and aggressive creatures, they naturally get into more trouble with fighting and drugs. Trying to dig out Freudian interpretations of being separated from their mothers is only increasing these issues. It is about time that someone took a common sense approach to the issues that our country is dealing with. Instead of psychoanalyzing every scientific and non-scientific study that is released, we need to address them with legislation. Instead of making stereotypes and generalizations about males and females, maybe it is time to help individuals of lower socio-economic levels of both genders, and help all of those who are falling behind, regardless of whether they are male or female.