Why Boys Read Less Than Girls – and How We Can Change That
Across countries and classrooms, one pattern keeps repeating: boys read less than girls.
They read fewer books, spend less time reading for fun, and are less confident in their reading skills.
According to recent international studies, girls are not only stronger readers — they also enjoy reading more.
The 2025 International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) report found that girls in primary school consistently show higher reading motivation and more positive attitudes toward books than boys.
This gap appears early — and it widens over time.
Why boys lose interest in reading
The reasons aren’t simple, but they’re familiar.
Many boys see reading as a school task, not something done for pleasure.
Books are often presented as quiet, still, and solitary — while boys are encouraged to be active, social, and competitive.
Add to that:
- Fewer male reading role models at home or in school.
- Stories that don’t match boys’ humor or curiosity.
- Increasing screen time that replaces downtime with games or short-form videos.
It’s not that boys don’t want to read — it’s that they often don’t see themselves in what they read.
The power of choice
The key to getting boys to read isn’t forcing them — it’s offering them the right stories.
Adventure, humor, travel, science, mystery — books that spark curiosity and laughter.
When children can choose what to read, motivation skyrockets.
Comics, illustrated stories, and short adventures are especially effective because they combine fast-paced storytelling with visual engagement — exactly what many boys respond to best.
What parents and teachers can do
1. Be a role model.
Children copy what they see. When boys see their fathers or teachers reading, it normalizes reading as something men do, too.
2. Make reading part of life, not homework.
Ten minutes a day is enough. Read in the car, before bed, or while waiting for dinner.
3. Encourage curiosity.
Let them explore topics they love — from sports to travel to ridiculous adventures.
4. Celebrate effort, not perfection.
It’s not about finishing a book — it’s about discovering one they can’t put down.
Closing the gap — one story at a time
This so-called “reading gender gap” isn’t fixed.
It simply reflects the stories we choose to tell — and how we tell them.
When boys find books that feel alive, funny, and full of discovery, they rediscover what reading is meant to be: a journey, not a task.
All it takes is one book to light the spark — and sometimes, ten minutes a day to keep it burning.