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Are girls more hygienic?


There is a common perception that girls tend to be more concerned with hygiene and cleanliness than boys. This stereotype suggests that girls spend more time bathing, washing their hands, brushing their teeth and taking care of their appearance than boys do. But is this perception accurate? Are girls really more hygienic than boys?

In this article, we will examine the evidence around gender differences and hygiene habits in childhood and adolescence. We will look at research on handwashing, bathing, dental care and grooming to see if girls do exhibit better hygiene practices than boys. Understanding gender norms around hygiene can help parents and educators encourage healthy habits in all children.

Handwashing

Handwashing is one of the most important hygiene habits for preventing illness. Research suggests girls may be more likely to wash their hands regularly than boys.

Study Findings
Hubbard et al. (2020) observed handwashing behaviors at 15 public restrooms. Girls washed their hands 97% of the time after using the restroom while boys washed 78% of the time.
Whitby et al. (2006) surveyed handwashing habits in over 1000 schoolchildren ages 6-12 years old. 70% of girls reported “always” washing hands after using the bathroom compared to 61% of boys.

These studies suggest girls are more diligent about washing their hands, especially in public restrooms. Researchers hypothesize that gender norms around being “clean” and “proper” motivate girls to wash up more than boys. However, more research is still needed comparing handwashing by gender in different age groups.

Bathing and Grooming

When it comes to bathing and personal grooming habits, studies find girls tend to bathe and groom themselves more frequently than boys in adolescence.

A major survey on adolescent health asked over 17,000 teens how often they bathe or shower (Layte et al., 2021):

  • 61% of teen girls reported bathing or showering at least once a day
  • Only 48% of teen boys reported daily bathing/showering

Girls also tend to start using cosmetics and caring for their physical appearance at an earlier age than boys. In one study, 25% of 8-year-old girls reported using makeup while only 10% of boys did (Eilers et al., 2015). By ages 11-14, over 50% of girls report regularly using makeup, hair products, and skin care compared to just 15% of boys.

These habits show how socially encouraged gender roles, like girls acting “dainty” and “pretty”, translate into differences in hygiene norms. Women may face greater social pressure to present themselves as clean and well-groomed than men.

Dental Hygiene

Oral hygiene, including teeth brushing and flossing, is important for preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Research on whether girls or boys have better dental hygiene is mixed.

Some studies have found girls report brushing their teeth more frequently:

  • Girls ages 8-12 were 8% more likely to brush teeth daily vs boys (Levin et al., 2010)
  • Among 15-year olds, 76% of girls but only 63% of boys reported brushing teeth more than once a day (Alstad et al., 2019)

However, other studies using dental exams instead of self-reports have not found significant gender differences:

  • Dental exams of 5000 12-year olds in the UK showed similar levels of tooth decay in boys and girls (Taylor et al., 2005)
  • A study of 13-19 year olds in Brazil did not find gender differences in plaque buildup or gingivitis (da Silveira Moreira, 2018)

More objective dental research is needed to clarify if girls consistently have better oral hygiene habits than boys or if self-reports are influenced by gender norms around saying you engage in hygienic habits.

Puberty and Menstruation

Puberty comes with major bodily changes that require adaptation in hygiene routines for both boys and girls. However, menstruation adds an extra consideration for girls that influences hygiene habits.

On average, girls begin puberty between ages 10-14 (Marvan et al., 2014). Starting their periods requires girls to use sanitary products and practice new hygiene habits like:

  • Changing pads/tampons frequently
  • Disposing menses carefully
  • Washing hands before and after changing products

Studies in developing countries show many girls lack access to menstrual hygiene education, sanitary products, private toilets, and clean water – making managing periods difficult (Hennegan et al., 2016).

But even in wealthy nations like the U.S., period poverty impacts girls’ hygiene. In a 2019 survey, 1 in 5 American girls said they struggled to afford menstrual products (Always, 2019). Girls also report embarrassment and stigma around menstruation that can hinder hygiene habits.

Ensuring girls have menstrual education and access to sanitary products is key to supporting female adolescent hygiene.

Puberty in Boys and Hygiene

Boys also need new hygiene routines during puberty. Facial hair growth means more frequent and thorough face washing is needed. Sweat and body odor increase requiring diligent showering and deodorant use. Acne also often peaks during male puberty.

However, boys show lower motivation to adapt new hygiene regimens during puberty. A UK study found 75% of early-pubescent girls felt it was important to start new routines like wearing deodorant vs just 58% of boys (Morris et al., 2013). Boys are slower to pick up new grooming habits.

Parent education for both boys and girls around puberty hygiene is important. Teaching the science behind new body odors and acne can motivate youth.

Peer Influences

Peer influences also contribute to gender differences in adolescent hygiene according to research:

  • Teen girls are more likely to exchange beauty and grooming tips with friends (Glenn et al., 2013). Boys are less likely to discuss hygiene.
  • College studies show female roommates tend to have correlated grooming habits while male roommates do not (McClintock et al., 2014).
  • Teen girls experience more peer pressure to wear makeup, shave body hair, and dress in clean fashions than boys (Uniform Teen, 2012).

Teens want to fit in with their peers which drives girls to adopt popular hygiene norms. Boys face less social pressure about hygiene from other boys.

Educators should emphasize hygiene habits for health over appearance. Peer marketing and mentoring could also boost healthy male hygiene.

Gender Roles and Norms

Many ingrained gender roles and norms contribute to hygiene differences between contemporary girls and boys:

  • Girls are expected to be dainty and soft – Societal ideals of femininity emphasize being clean, groomed, and sweet-smelling. Girls learn they must labor to achieve this ideal.
  • Boys should be tough and active – Males are pressured to demonstrate masculinity through strength and athleticism which can discourage focus on hygiene.
  • Mothers groom daughters more – Research shows parents groom girls more aggressively than boys in childhood (Cahill 1987). Girls arrive at school cleaner and neater while boys are messy.
  • Females face greater social scrutiny – Girls and women are judged more critically for imperfections like body hair, acne, and odor than males.

Centuries of ingrained social norms equating femininity with cleanliness underlie the heightened focus on hygiene for girls and women.

However, levels of body positivity are rising in young females. Over 50% of teen girls now report feeling less pressure to be perfectly groomed and styled (Glossy, 2021). Gender norms are slowly evolving.

Conclusion

Research suggests girls and women tend to practice better hygiene habits than boys and men when it comes to handwashing, bathing frequency, using cosmetics, and dental care. This gap arises from a combination of physical factors, like the onset of menstruation, and cultural influences, including ingrained gender norms and peer pressure.

However, boys can certainly learn good hygiene. Parents should teach the science behind hygiene and emphasize healthy habits over appearance for all children. Schools need adequate facilities and menstrual products to support female adolescent hygiene. As norms evolve, the stereotype of girls as inherently cleaner than boys may fade. But for now, girls do appear more hygienic overall during the teen years. Improving education and resources can close this gender gap to benefit the health of all youth.