Table of Contents

Introduction

PART I: The rhetoric and the reality of ‘boys’ underachievement’
1. ‘Boys’ underachievement’: the evidence
2. ‘Boys’ underachievement’: the explanations

PART II: Theorising boys and masculinities in the early years
3. Vygotsky, Bourdieu and the social contexts of young children’s development

PART III: Case studies of young boys and schooling
4. Worlds apart: introducing South Park and North Parade
5. Home-school relations in South Park
6. ‘Fish in water’: the schooling habitus of young middle class boys
7. Home-school relations in North Parade
8. ‘Fish out of water’: the schooling habitus of young working class boys

PART IV: Implications for practice
9. Conclusions: working with young boys