Who is best in mathematics?

Abstract

Sweden has a reputation for its equality work, but at the same time mathematics is still considered a male domain. We studied grade nine students’ attitudes about who could be considered best in mathematics, both from an individual perspective and how they perceived different groups in society would answer. A questionnaire was used and the analysis showed that girls more often think that this is not a matter connected to biological sex, whereas boys more often state that boys and girls are equally good. Two groups are stereotyped as thinking that boys are better in mathematics both by girls and boys: boys in grade nine and boys in general. This is not reflected in their self-evaluation. Overall, the students showed an awareness of the concept of gender, including some intra-cultural dimensions of the concept.