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Gender Issues Gifted Girls Gifted girls may face stereotypes that girls are not good at math or science They may face peer pressure to be pretty rather than smart Concerns about friendships or relationships with boys may cause girls to hide their giftedness Studies show that many middle school aged gifted girls begin hiding their abilities in order to fit in or be desirable As girls enter high school, they begin to be concerned about how to have a family and successful family What Can Parents Do? Provide role models of successful females who have happy family lives as well as successful careers Expose gifted girls to female role models who are successful in math and science Enroll gifted girls in programs that stress technology, math and science applications Gifted Boys Boys may experience stereotypes that smart boys are nerdy and not athletic. Gifted boys who excel in academics may find trouble developing friendships Boys experience stereotypes that boys are not good at writing Many gifted boys are fidgety in class and are often referred for ADD/ADHD evaluation when in fact they are simply acting out of boredom     What Can Parents Do? Provide role models of successful males who are smart and athletic Expose gifted boys to role models who are successful writers   Hebert, T. P., Ph. D., Gifted Males, in Neihart, M., Reis, S.M., Robinson, N. M., & Moon, S. M (2002) . The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children: What do we know? Waco: Prufock. Reis, S. M., Gifted females in elementary and seconadary school, Theories| Characteristics|   Identification|  Instruction|  Social and Emotional

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