"...girls go to college to get more knowledge."Forgive me lads, but that playground rhyme emphasizes the importance of education for girls. However, it is a pity there wasn't something similar for the boys. There is a huge unrecognized problem of male unemployment in the UK. It is closely associated with poor educational achievement.
Education levels are the key factor in determining labour force participation for both genders. An incredible 37 percent of men without qualifications are not in the labour force.
For women, the rate is 57 percent. Of course, much of female non-participation is associated with child rearing. There are also well understood perverse incentives within the benefit system that encourages young girls to enter motherhood rather than the labour market or further education.
For women, the higher the level of education, the greater the probability of being in the labour market. For men, there doesn't appear to be much variation. So long as a man has some kind of qualification, then he is likely to be working.
Education really matters; for both girls and boys.
(Source: ONS, Social Trends 39)
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