affect of gender Flashcards
up until when did boys outperform girls?
1990s
How does class affect gender differences?
mention P and F (FSM)
social class often overrides gender differences
for example, although girls outperform boys, they only outperform boys in the same social class with the same ethnic characteristics as them
Perry and Francis (2010) girls on FSM do less well than girls and boys NOT on FSM
name some problems girls still face in the education system
Focus on boys underachieving, not given attention
Typically choose arts and humanities, do not enter STEM careers
Women are still less likely to achieve the same levels of success as men who have similar qualifications when in paid employment
name the factors explaining why girls outperform boys
differential socialisation
changes in the family
changes in women’s employment
girls’ changing ambitions
impact of feminism
personal level factors
explain this factor and how it contributes to girls outperforming boys
(external)
‘changes in the family’
now more common for women to start a career in their 20s and maintain it through adult life
increased divorce rate means it’s more important for women to be financially independent
this leaves men’s role in British society unstable, creating a crisis of masculinity. Therefore discourages boys from working hard, and increases girls’ work ethic.
explain this factor and how it contributes to girls outperforming boys
(external)
‘changes in women’s employment’
more women pursuing managerial roles as they typically have better communication skills so have greater opportunity in the world of work, encouraging a good work ethic in girls
reduced manufacturing means less factory based working-class jobs for men
explain this factor and how it contributes to girls outperforming boys
(external)
‘girls’ changing ambitions’
the ambitions of girls are changing, encouraging them to aim for things outside of the family in their future.
Sharpe conducted research: 1970s- priorities for girls were marriage and family, whereas in 1990s, it was a career and a family later on.
explain this factor and how it contributes to girls outperforming boys
(external)
‘the impact of feminism’
feminism has highlighted equalities in the education system, creating more opportunities for women
this raises expectations, motivation and self esteem of girls
explain this factor and how it contributes to girls outperforming boys
(external)
‘differential socialisation’
mention Fiona Norman / Auceio and James
Fiona Norman (1988)- gender sterotypes and differences in socialisation benefit girls and disadvantage boys. For example, bad behaviour of boys is more likely to be dismissed by parents as ‘typical’. Also, girls are more likely to be read with.
Auceio and James (2016) Evidence shows that verbal skills (likely improved by reading) are more important than maths skills when it comes to gaining a place at university. Girls typically have better verbal skills
explain this factor and how it contributes to girls outperforming boys
(external)
‘personal level factors’
what did Cavalgia et al suggest?
mention:
Terrier
OECD
Buchmann
Cavalgia et al – range of personal and individual factors contribute to gender gap in education, many of which work in conjunction with social level factors
Terrier (2020)- teacher bias plays role in why girls do better
OECD (2015) - gender gap in achievement is due to behaviour, attitude, leisure time and self confidence.
Buchmann (2008)- males more likely to have reading disabilities, dyslexia or antisocial behaviour.
name the internal factors and explain for why girls outperform boys
Equal opportunities in schools
as a result of feminism, inequalities in schools have highlighted and there is an active effort to provide opportunities for girls- for example, WISE (women is science and engineering)
Commitment from teachers to avoid stereotyping and increase girls’ expectations
Increase in positive role models for girls in schools
School structure
Rewards the skillsets that girls are more likely to have- such as organisation and concentration
Research shows girls are 3-4X more likely than boys to concentrate (study based on 14yr olds)
Pro-school subcultures
Girls are more likely to exhibit pro school behaviours compared to girls- for example obedience to authority an desire to impress teachers
evaluate the explanations for why girls outperform boys
Becky Francis (2005) - radical feminist —– gender is an important part of social identity which means students conform to gender stereotypes
Boys continue to dominate talk in the classroom, often taking attention away from the teacher.
Boys are frequently verbally abusive in order to reinforce masculinity
Boys show contempt for all things female – reinforces male identity as well as patriarchy defining men as superior
Girls do underachieve and get distracted, it is just less obvious, become ‘invisible’
Boys dominate physical space through playground and laddish behaviour, this is an exercise of their control and patriarchal power
Girls are often constructing their feminity to please boys and schools enforce stereotypical gender stereotypes- Mac an Ghaill (1994), girls are controlled by ‘male gaze’
Girls face sexual violence in schools, especially from boys who feel their masculinity is challenged
Teachers continue to act on and reinforce gendered stereotypes, adopting a ‘boys will be boys’ attitude to male bad behaviours but penalising girls who are disruptive ‘for a girl’
name external factors for why boys underachieve
Decline in traditional male employment
Lack of motivation and underperformance- Mac and Ghaill (1994)
Crisis of masculine identity- no longer the breadwinner, lacks purpose and motivation- try to construct an identity through macho, laddish behaviour
name internal factors for why boys underachieve
form subcultures
feminisation of teaching
