Education: Gender

Question 1

What was education like for girls before the 1980s

Answer 1

-Limited and focused on domestic skills (e.g sewing, cooking)
-They were seen to have smaller brain than boys.
-Middle- and upper-class girls might attend finishing schools, but most working-class girls had little or no access to formal education.
-The patriarchal view was that women’s role was in the home, not in public or academic life.
-Universities didn’t accept female students until 1920s.

Question 2

External factors why girls have improved

Answer 2

-Impact of feminism
-Changes in the family
-Changes in the job market and women’s employment
-Girls changing attitudes and ambitions
-Girls mature earlier
-Differences in socialisation and behaviour

Question 3

Internal factors why girls have improved

Answer 3

-Equal opportunities policies
-Positive role models in schools
-GCSE and coursework
-Teacher attention and classroom interaction
-Challenging stereotypes in the curriculum
-Selection and League tables

Question 4

What is feminism and how has it impacted girls’ education?

Answer 4

-Feminism is a social movement aiming for gender equality.
-Since the 1960s, it has challenged traditional female roles (e.g., housewives/mothers).

-This shift has raised girls’ ambitions and expectations around careers and education.
-Education is now seen by many girls as a route to independence.

Question 5

How have feminist campaigns influenced girls’ attitudes towards education?

Answer 5

-Raised awareness of gender inequality in home, work, and school.
-Promoted equal rights and challenged traditional roles.
-Encouraged girls to value education for independence and success, not just for preparing for domestic roles.

Question 6

What does Angela McRobbie’s research show about changing female aspirations?

Answer 6

-In the 1970s, emphasised marriage and avoiding being ‘left on the shelf’, promoting family orientated girls. -In the 1990s, they promoted images of confident, independent, career focused women.
-This reflects the influence of feminism, which has helped to raise girls aspirations, contributing to their higher achievement.

Question 7

How have changes in the family influenced girls’ achievement?

Answer 7

-Family structure changes have shifted girls’ attitudes toward education.
-These changes include rising divorce rates, more lone-parent families, and changing parenting styles.
-They encourage girls to value education for independence and career success.