Final answer:
Boys who exhibit 'masculine' behaviors in elementary school are often stereotyped as lazy and troublesome, largely influenced by cultural norms and the permissive 'boys will be boys' attitude that overlooks their assertiveness or minor rule-breaking.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elementary school teachers may stereotype boys who display "masculine" behavior as being lazy and troublesome. Research indicates that such boys are often given more freedom to express themselves and even to commit minor acts of deviance. The phrase "boys will be boys" is commonly used to justify and perpetuate this permissive attitude, while simultaneously imposing stricter regulations on girls to be more obedient and compliant. Therefore, in social and academic contexts, the behavior that boys are allowed to exhibit without reprisal may lead to stereotypes that mistakenly regard boys' assertiveness or deviance as indicators of laziness or troublemaking rather than potential leadership or autonomy of thought.
However, regarding diligence, if stereotypes do affect the perception of boys' academic abilities, these biases might manifest in ways that are not overtly associated with conscientious or diligent aspects of their personalities. Teachers and educational environments play a crucial role in either reinforcing or challenging these gender biases. Instead of encouraging competition, efforts could be geared towards fostering collaboration and equitable opportunities for both genders to display a range of behaviors and talents, including diligence and a desire to comply with educational standards.