Many people believe men are better at math than women, but researchers say this attitude is robbing the country of some of its best talent. A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found while girls can be just as talented as boys at mathematics, some avoid the field because they are teased, ostracized or neglected. "The U.S.
culture that is discouraging girls is also discouraging boys," says lead study author Professor Janet Mertz.  "It is deemed uncool within the social context of USA middle and high schools to do mathematics for fun; doing so can lead to social ostracism. Consequently, gifted girls, even more so than boys, usually camouflage their mathematical talent to fit in well with their peers." Experts are concerned this prejudice will lead to U.S. dependency for foreign mathematicians, engineers, and scientists.

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