Education- Gender differences Flashcards
what was shown in 2013 in relation to teacher assessments in starting school
girls bested boys by between 7-17 percentage points
what is shown in key stages 1-3
girls do significantly better than males
what is the gender gap in achievement at GCSE
10 percentage points
what percentage of boys/girls attained A or B grades
girls- 46.8%
boys- 42.2%
what are 5 external factors
-impact of feminism
-changes in family
-changes in women employment
-girls changing ambitions
-class and gender
what has the impact of feminism been
challenged view women have expressive role shown with change in magazines now promotes image of strong assertive women
what impact has changes in the family had
increased number of female-headed lone parent families means they must take on instrumental role creating that as the new role for women
what impact have changes in womens employment had
1970 Equal Pay act makes it illegal to pay women less for same job as a man and proportion of women in employment has risen from 57% (1971) to 67% (2013)
what impact have changes in girls changing ambitions had (study)
Sharp (1994) showed how in 1974, girls saw educational achievement as unfeminine and appearing ambitious was unattractive, whereas now they see it as empowering and as a tool to shape their own futures
what impact have changes in class and gender had (study)
Reay (1998) argues girls’ aspirations based on job opportunities they see as available
O’Connor (2006) shows how girls now dont see marriage and children as a huge part of their life
what are 6 internal factors in achievement
-equal opportunity policies
-positive role models
-GCSE and coursework
-teacher attention
-challenging stereotypes
-selection and league tables
what impact have changes in equal opportunity policies had
belief boys and girls are entitled to same opportunities is mainstream policies such as GIST and WISE encourage careers in non traditional areas
what impact have changes in positive role models had
increase in female teachers and heads act as role models for children showing them women can get to positions of power
what impact have changes in GCSE and coursework had
Stephen and Graham (2005) found gender gap from 1975-1989 was consistent until it increased sharply, coinciding with the into of GCSEs
what is a challenge to GCSE and coursework
Elwood (2005) argues its ultimately due to exams having much more influence than coursework
what impact have changes in teacher attention had
Jane and Peter French (1993) found boys got more attention as they attracted more reprimands
Swann (1998) found boys typically led group discussions whilst girls preferred to work in pairs
what impact have changes in challenging stereotypes in curriculum had
Weiner (1995) argues since 80s, teachers have challenged stereotypes portraying women as having expressive role and sexist views having been removed from curriculums
what impact have changes in selection and league tables had
created more competitive markets seeing girls as more desirable recruits
what is the liberal feminist view on the progress
celebrate progress and believe further progress can be made by continuing development of equal opportunity policies
what is the liberal feminist view similar to
functionalist view that education is a meritocracy
what is the radical feminist view on progress
do recognise progress, but still focus on how it reinforces patriarchy putting men at the top through sexual harassment, education still limiting choice for girls and women being underrepresented in curriculum
what does Archer (2010) argue
symbolic capital- girls identities and values most match those of the school
what reinforces symbolic capital
hyper-heterosexual feminine identities in which girls spend most of their money on clothes and make up that would be seen as feminine and gain them symbolic capital
what is the working class girls’ dilema
gain symbolic or educational capital
how are girls expected to gain educational and symbolic capital
symbolic- conforming to hyper-heterosexual identity
educational- rejecting working class identity and conforming to schools ideal pupil
what did Evans (2009) show
most girls in the study wanted to go to uni to increase earning power to be able to provide for families
what are factors affecting boys in education
-literacy
-globalisation and decline of traditional mens role
-feminisation of education
-shortage of male primary school teachers
who attacks claims culture of primary is becoming feminised and what was identified
Barbara Read (2008) identified two types of language: disciplinarian and liberal discourse
what is the disciplinarian discourse
teachers authority is made explicit and visible
what is the liberal discourse
teachers authority is implicit and invisible, teacher speaks to children as if they are adults and expects normal principles
what did Epstein (1998) find
working class boys more likely to be harassed or labelled as sissies. Boys cared more than girls about being labelled by peers
what are 4 explanations of gender differences in subject choice
-gender role socialisation
-gendered subject images
-gender identity and peer pressure
-gendered career opportunities
what impact has changes in gender socialisation had
Norman (1988) notes from an early age boys and girls are dressed differently, given different toys and encouraged to partake in different activities
what are examples of gendered subject images
science, sport and computer studies seen to be more masculine whereas english, history and art seen to be more feminine
how do gendered subject images and peer pressure link
boys feel more pressure to pick masculine subject and girls more feminine subjects
