Norwegian researchers have confirmed that girls are happier at school than boys, attributing the difference to dopamine levels and social relationships. Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology led a study involving over 1,600 children aged six to nine, from first to fourth grade.
The study found that girls receive more of the 'happy hormone' dopamine through social interactions with friends and classmates, while boys obtain dopamine through more self-involved behaviour and require more physical activity due to higher testosterone levels. 'Long school days, sitting still, does not suit boys,' Sigmundsson said.
Researchers asked children about their friends, well-being, safety at school, and subject preferences. Girls and younger students reported greater well-being and a stronger preference for their class. 'We find a significant correlation between well-being and all the questions we asked. Enjoying school and feeling safe at school are strongly connected,' Sigmundsson noted.
In terms of academic performance, girls scored higher in reading and science and believed they performed better. Boys thought they excelled in maths, though no gender difference was found in liking the subject. Boys preferred physical education, but both genders perceived similar performance levels. A weak correlation was observed between enjoyment of reading and physical education.
The findings contrast with US data, where girls outperform boys academically but are unhappier at school. Sigmundsson recommends adding passion projects and more physical activity to improve well-being for all students. Future research will examine the impact of these efforts.
