Education - Gender & Subject Choice

Question 1

What were the most popular subjects picked by girls for A level in 2018?

Answer 1

English, Psychology, Biology

Question 2

What were the most popular subjects picked by boys for A level in 2018?

Answer 2

Maths, Physics, Chemistry

Question 3

How do gendered subjects become more noticeable post 16?

Answer 3

There is more choice for subjects

Question 4

What did the institute of Physics (2012) say about the level of girls studying physics over 20 years?

Answer 4

The proportion of girls studying A level Physics has been ‘stubbornly consistent’ at around 20% for over 20 years

Question 5

What is a criticism of equal opportunity policies due to differences in subject choice?

Answer 5

The effectiveness of EOPs is questioned as there purpose is to encourage more girls to take up STEM subjects e.g. physics

Question 6

How is gendered subject choice noticeable in vocational education?

Answer 6

Subjects e.g. childcare have only 1 in 100 males studying the course

Question 7

What are the 4 explanations for gendered differences in subject choice?

Answer 7

Gender role socialisation
Gendered subject images
Gender identity & peer pressure
Gendered career opportunities

Question 8

What is gender role socialisation?

Answer 8

The process of learning the behaviour expected of males & females in society

Question 9

SOCIOLOGIST: What did Norman say about young boys & girls?

Answer 9

They are both dressed differently, given different toys & encouraged to take part in different activities - helps them socialise into their gender role

Question 10

What are gender domains & what are some examples?

Answer 10

The tasks & activities that boys & girls see as ‘male’ & ‘female’ territory e.g. DIY (male), looking after a sick child (female)

Question 11

SOCIOLOGIST: What does Browne & Ross say about gender domains?

Answer 11

Children’s beliefs about ‘gender domains’ are shaped by their early experiences & expectations of adults

Question 12

SOCIOLOGIST: What does Kelly say about science being viewed as a boys’ subject?

Answer 12

Says science teachers are most likely to be men, the examples that teachers use draw boys’ interests & boys monopolise the apparatus & dominate the lab in lessons -> contributes to more boys taking the subject

Question 13

What is a result of single sex schools having less gender stereotyped subject images?

Answer 13

Pupils are more likely to pick less traditional subject choices

Question 14

SOCIOLOGIST: What did Leonard say about the subjects picked by boys & girls in single sex schools?

Answer 14

Girls -> more likely to take A level sciences & maths than in a mixed school

Boys -> more likely to take A level English & languages than in a mixed school

Question 15

SOCIOLOGIST: What did Paechter say about girls picking sport?

Answer 15

Pupils mainly see sport as in the male gender domain, so when a girls showed interest in sport; they contradicts the image of the conventional female (explains why many girls drop out of sport)

Question 16

SOCIOLOGIST: What did Dewar say regarding gender identity & peer pressure?

Answer 16

Found that male students would call girls ‘lesbian’/‘butch’ if they appeared to be interested in sport (makes them less likely to pick the subject/more likely to drop out)

Question 17

What causes students to pick less traditional subjects when they attend single sex schools?

Answer 17

Due to an absence of peer pressure, girls are more likely to pick traditional ‘male’ subjects than if they attended a mixed gender school

Question 18

How does employment have an influence on subject choice?

Answer 18

Employment is highly gendered with many seeing jobs as either ‘men’s’/‘women’s’ jobs
E.g. nurse - female, plumber - male

Question 19

How are women’s jobs now similar to the housewife role?

Answer 19

All involve caring for others e.g. nursing, childcare etc.

Question 20

SOCIOLOGIST: What did Fuller say about working class girls & their career ambitions?

Answer 20

Most of them had aspirations to work in jobs such as childcare, hair or beauty which reflects their working class habitus