Mathematics – Whose domain is it? Perceptions of Singaporean and Australian students

Abstract

There has been a long held perception that mathematics is more appropriate for males than females. In some countries this belief seems to have influenced girls’ participation and achievement in mathematics. However, gender differences in mathematics learning seem to have diminished in recent years. In this paper we report findings from a study conducted in 1999 to explore current gender-linked perceptions of mathematics by administering a 48 item Likert scale instrument. The sample comprised some 800 students. Of these, 525 attended a coeducational secondary school in Singapore and 274 students a co- educational school located in metropolitan Melbourne. The implications of our findings are also discussed.