Why Boys Fail

CHAPTER 1Discovering the Problem

 

A QUICK WALK down Main Street in Farmington, Maine, reveals a New England college town cute enough to qualify for central casting. There’s the Liquid Sunshine store, which sells long, flowing skirts. Close by is Calico Patch, peddling candles and objets d’art freshmen women buy to adorn their dorm rooms at the University of Maine, Farmington, located only a couple of blocks away. Next comes Outskirts, offering vintage clothing for women. Finally, there is Butterfly Boutique, a purveyor of pricey clothing that senior co-eds purchase for their first real-world job interview.¹

Within a couple of blocks, you realize what feels odd about the walk through town. Stores in downtown Farmington target only female college ...