Gender stereotypes and their gender-specific impact on academic achievement

After decades of research into disadvantages for girls in the educational system, “male underachievement” has recently become a frequently discussed topic in the social sciences. A glance at explanations for the development of gender differences in academic achievement reveals that the disadvantages for males and females are explained differently to some extent, but that gender stereotypes seem to play an important part in most popular theoretical approaches. This article gives an overview of actual gender differences in academic achievement in Europe. Following a short description of the nature and functioning of stereotypes in general, and of gender stereotypes in particular, the article discusses the current state of empirical research on the most important theoretical explanations for gender differences in academic achievement and the role gender stereotypes play in these theories. Finally, open questions – and thus fields for further research – are outlined.