The American educational system has become increasingly familiar with the expression "Boys will be boys" from as early as kindergarten. Many parents are aware of the differences in cognitive abilities, within an academic setting between male and female students, starting from a young age. Female students were found to be more attentive, eager to learn, and independent workers, while their male counterparts were found to be more restless and unfocused. Primary school teachers and the education system provide more focus on the female students who are more willing to learn and give them the resources necessary to succeed in academics. At the same time, these teachers are dismissing the troublesome and inattentive boys, as it may be difficult to educate those seemingly unwilling to learn. It is this attitude and decreased allocation of resources for the male students that leave them behind their female classmates, which then affect their performance in learning on through high school and into college. .
The gender gap in school begins early and is attributable to differences in behavior in the classroom. Kindergarten is the beginning of the education system where the students first learn to develop basic learning tools and social skills. The skills they develop at this stage are critical for their success when it comes to participation in classrooms, assigned projects, homework and exams. Schools keep track of the overall progress between the male and female students. In Cristina Sommer's article "The Boys From the Back", she summarizes the schools' findings that show "girls have better behavior at school and earn better grades." She states the opposite is true of boys, who tended to be easily distracted, "slouch contemptuously in their chairs, and beat their pencil or watch squirrels outside the window." By not implementing strict discipline at this critical stage for their male students, teachers are setting these boys up for bad habits and lack of self-discipline later down the road of education.