Why boys are significantly more likely to be expelled

Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC Family Counselor, explains the reasons behind why boys are statistically much more likely to be expelled from school than girls
Raising Boys | Why Boys Are Much More Likely To Be Expelled
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Why boys are significantly more likely to be expelled

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The male and the female brain are different. You've probably noticed it. Everyone's probably noticed it. They are different. Maybe we thought it was just from socialization, but we actually now know that this stuff is happening in utero and on the chromosome marker. So if you have a boy or girl that you're raising, that boy or girl, the the XX for girls and the XY for boys, there are markers on those chromosomes for development of the brain. Then, in utero, while mom is carrying the baby, testosterone and estrogen surge through the system and form that brain. By six months in utero, that boy or that girl are formed. In life they will change, of course. In terms of what they're like and the way they are going to behave is somewhat different. Some of the things you might notice right away, is that the boys move around a lot more when they are one, two or three years old. Boys are five times as likely to get expelled from preschool as girls. One of the reasons is the teachers don't know this. They don't know that this is natural. So they set up little spaces and they don't let these boys move around. "Sit, sit still during story time." Not realizing that the way the male brain works, he wants to hear the story by moving around. These differences are really robust and they start before the boy is born, and girl. If you have a boy or girl that you see having behavior patterns that someone is telling you are wrong, look at male and female brain and you may find some answers.

Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC Family Counselor, explains the reasons behind why boys are statistically much more likely to be expelled from school than girls

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Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC

Family Counselor & Author

Michael Gurian is the New York Times bestselling author of 25 books published in 21 languages. He provides counseling services at the Marycliff Center, in Spokane, Washington. The Gurian Institute, which he co-founded, conducts research internationally, launches pilot programs and trains professionals. Michael has been called "the people's philosopher" for his ability to bring together people's ordinary lives and scientific ideas.

 He has pioneered efforts to bring neuro-biology and brain research into homes, schools, corporations, and public policy. A number of his books have sparked national debate, including The Wonder of Girls, The Wonder of Boys, and Boys and Girls Learn Differently!, and The Minds of Boys.



Michael has served as a consultant to families, corporations, therapists, physicians, school districts, community agencies, churches, criminal justice personnel and other professionals, traveling to approximately 20 cities per year to keynote at conferences. His training videos (also available as DVDs) for parents and volunteers are used by Big Brother and Big Sister agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

 As an educator, Michael previously taught at Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and Ankara University.  His speaking engagements include Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Macalester College, University of Colorado, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and UCLA. His philosophy reflects the diverse cultures (European, Asian, Middle Eastern and American) in which he has lived, worked and studied.

Michael's work has been featured in various media, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Newsweek, Time, People Magazine, Reader's Digest, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Parenting, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS and National Public Radio.

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