Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant shift in gender ratios in higher education, highlighting the increasing number of female students compared to male students, which has led to a "boy crisis" in academic performance and enrollment [4][5][10]. Group 1: Gender Ratio Changes in Higher Education - The proportion of female students in Chinese universities has risen dramatically, from 38.31% in 1998 to over 50% by 2009, with 2022 statistics showing that only 37% of undergraduate admissions were male [8][9]. - This trend is not unique to China; globally, the OECD reported that in 2022, only 44% of new entrants to higher education were male, indicating a widespread decline in male enrollment [10][11]. Group 2: Academic Performance Disparities - Research indicates that male students are less likely to graduate on time compared to female students, with a 10 percentage point lower likelihood of graduating within the stipulated time frame [13]. - In 2018-2019, over 110 million female graduates received bachelor's degrees, while male graduates numbered less than 86 million, reflecting a consistent trend of female academic superiority [14]. Group 3: Early Academic Performance Trends - Gender differences in academic performance begin early, with studies showing that girls outperform boys in various subjects, including those traditionally viewed as male strengths like mathematics and science [15][16]. - By high school, girls are more likely to be in the top 10% of their class, with two-thirds of high-achieving students being female [19]. Group 4: Behavioral and Psychological Factors - Boys exhibit weaker behavioral regulation compared to girls, which contributes to their lower performance in academic settings [20]. - Traits such as conscientiousness, which significantly impact academic success, are generally higher in female students, further explaining the performance gap [23][24]. Group 5: Biological and Social Influences - The article discusses how biological differences, such as brain development rates, may contribute to the observed academic disparities between genders [26][30]. - Social stereotypes and expectations also play a role, as they can influence performance and self-perception in academic settings [28].