There is a growing body of research on the differences between males and females in various aspects of language use, including writing. In this study, we examine the writing habits of Icelandic primary and secondary school students, focusing on the types of texts they write and their frequency.
The data for this study was collected through surveys administered to a sample of students in Icelandic schools. Participants were asked how often they wrote various types of texts in Icelandic and English, including emails to friends, social media responses, creative writing texts, and professional texts related to their subject of study.
Our analysis reveals that there are distinct gender differences in writing habits among Icelandic students. At the primary level, female students tend to write more social media responses and creative texts, while males write more emails to friends and professional texts. Similarly, at the secondary level, males report writing more social media responses and professional texts related to their subject, while females write more emails to friends and creative texts. Furthermore, males tend to write more overall in English than females at both primary and secondary levels.
The gender differences in writing habits identified in this study may have important implications for educators and policy makers. It may be beneficial for teachers to be aware of these differences and tailor their instruction accordingly. Additionally, efforts could be made to encourage students to develop a broader range of writing skills, particularly in areas where there may be disparities between genders.
In conclusion, our analysis confirms that there are gender differences in writing habits among Icelandic students, particularly in terms of the types of texts they write and their frequency. Future research could explore the underlying factors that contribute to these differences and their potential implications for academic and professional success.