are girls fragile or boys?

In the article "the ‘Fragile American girl' myth", Christina Hoff Sommers argues that American girls are not fragile. At national level, girls are recognized as minority group that is need of special treatment. She says that many books support this myth, and presents one book as an example. Then she raises the question that where do these ideas arise from, and before answering, she gives statistics and facts that prove her point. Statistics show that girls are doing equal if not better than boys. Then she answers the question that contemporary women's movement finds what it looks for. It only focuses on few bad examples and ignore huge good statistics. The main point of her article seems to be that girls are not at all fragile. They are strong and do not need any special attention or program.

I agree with her that American girls are not fragile. They have the strength to make their lives better and have the equal opportunities of living as boys. When education is taken into account, girls are definitely doing better than boys. According to a new report issued by the U.S. Department of Education, "females are now doing as well as or better than males on many indicators of achievement and educational attainment, and that large gaps that once existed between males and females have been eliminated in most cases and have significantly decreased in other cases" (Krista Kafer). This report clearly proves that now time has changed in America. Girls are now doing better thanboys, and the achievement gap is narrowing. Though time has changed for girls, it has changed for boys too, and now they are on the fragile side.

All the focus on girls has caused its too good for girls, but has put boys out of attention. Everyone, from media to common people, pays attention to girl's problems and ignores boys. The difficulties in girl's lives are highlighted, but the difficulties of boy's lives are ignored. Sommers also makes this point in her essay. She states, " to the extent that there is a gender gap among youth, it is the boys who turn out to be on the fragile side". This is also proven by the facts and statistics given by Sommers in her article.

Now some studies that focus on boys, have also proven that boys are actually on fragile side. They are facing more problems than girls. According to Krista kafer, "Elementary school boys are more likely than girls to repeat a grade, and high school boys are more likely than girls to drop out of school, Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with a learning disability, emotional disturbance, or speech impediment. Boys also are more likely to be overweight a higher percentage of boys than girls are victims of criminal activity. Boys are also more likely to drink, take drugs, or engage in violence,"(School Reform News). All these statistics prove that now boys are in need to be declared as a minority group, and in need of special attention. They need special programs to make their lives easy as compared to girls.

Another article by Laurie A Couture reveals that boys are not only on fragile side but they are in danger of being hated by the girls as the self-esteem boost programs for girls now target boys. He states, "For the past five years, the feminist-promoted trend of "girl power" has gradually evolved into what has now become a conceited, self-righteous pop-culture fad of hatred towards boys. Recently, the David and Goliath T-shirt Company's "Boys are Stupid" line of T-shirts and merchandise has gained popularity with girls, making a fashion statement out of promoting hatred, sexism and abuse against boys- in the name of "fun" and humor"(Anti-male bias). This is actually creating anti-male type of environment. Moreover, it is making society more difficult for boys to live and survive in.

Although it is true that girls were fragile in the past, in present, the boys are fragile. Why is it so? I think that we, in our attempt to boost self-esteem of girls, have unintentionally targeted boys. In order to make girls feel better, we constantly told them that they were the best as well as we told them that boys were no better creatures then the girls. Slowly this boost up attempt lead to the raise of hatred against boys and put them on the weak side. All of this was not intended to happen but somehow it happened so.

The question is that what should be done now to balance the scale between girls and boys? May be now boost up programs for boys should be designed, but this time, with especial care. These programs should be made with the precision not to target any one sex to make other one feel good. If this is not taken care of, than be prepared to treat your boys as once girls were treated. By this I mean be ready to educate boys with especial attention, tell them they are special, encourage them to feel good about themselves and recognize them as "a minority in need of special attention " at national level.