Why the Boys are Missing: Using Social Capital to Explain Gender Differences in College Enrollment for Public High School Students

The Role of Camp in Shaping College Readiness and Building a Pathway to the Future for Camp Alumni

“…As previously noted, although women may have a "female advantage" when it comes to some dimensions of academic performance (Cogner & Long, 2010;Riegle-Crumb, 2010), research also suggests that women may lack confidence in their academic capabilities (Sax, 2007) and are less likely than men to pursue a career in a STEM field (Klevan et al, 2016). The results of this study suggest that camp was influential in building skills such as independence, selfefficacy, and confidence in women.…”

“…Prior to the 1960s, 60-65% of bachelor's degrees were awarded to men, but by 1982 women reached parity with men and in [2004][2005] women received 58%-60% of all bachelor's degrees (Buchmann, DiPrete, & McDaniel 2008;Klevan, Weinberg, & Middleton, 2016). Understanding why women and men choose to attend or not attend college is complex, as many factors may influence a youth's decision.…”

“…Women often lack confidence in their academic abilities (Sax, 2007), experience higher levels of anxiety and depression (Klevan et al, 2016), stress over their financial situation (the average income for female college students is lower than men's), and report lower ratings of emotional and physical health (Sax, 2007). Furthermore, men continue to surpass women in earning a STEM-related degree (Klevan, Weinberg, & Middleton, 2016), men continue "to outnumber females in the most lucrative areas of study" (Klevan, Weinberg, & Middleton, 2016, p. 25), attend more elite institutions (Buchmann et al, 2008) and earn more in all areas of employment (Corbett & Hill, 2012).…”

Gender, High School Romantic Involvement, and College Enrollment*

“…College enrollment patterns of young adults have been linked to many factors, including gender (DiPrete and Buchmann, ), family context (Bozick and DeLuca, ; Castleman and Page, ; Goldrick‐Rab, ), racial/ethnic background (Bennett and Lutz, ; Davis and Otto, ; Snyder, de Brey, and Dillow, ), and academic preparation (Buchmann, Condron, and Roscigno, ; Cabrera and La Nasa, ). Several recent studies have focused on the effects of friendship and peer networks as factors in young adults’ college enrollment decisions (Choi et al., ; Engberg and Wolniak, ; Fletcher, ; Klevan, Weinberg, and Middleton, ). Yet, we know surprisingly little about how one key type of peer relationship, the romantic relationship , is associated with later college enrollment.…”

“…preparation (Buchmann, Condron, and Roscigno, 2010;Cabrera and La Nasa, 2000). Several recent studies have focused on the effects of friendship and peer networks as factors in young adults' college enrollment decisions (Choi et al, 2008;Engberg and Wolniak, 2010;Fletcher, 2015;Klevan, Weinberg, and Middleton, 2016). Yet, we know surprisingly little about how one key type of peer relationship, the romantic relationship, is associated with later college enrollment.…”