"Evaluate the View That External Factors Are the Main Cause of Gender Differences in Educational Achievement" Flashcards
P1 What is the main argument about changing gender roles and aspirations?
As gender roles have changed, girls now prioritise careers and education more than in the past, contributing to their higher educational achievement.
How does — explain the impact of changing gender roles?
Sharpe found that girls’ aspirations shifted significantly—in the 1970s, girls prioritised marriage and family, but by the 1990s, they valued careers and financial independence.
What evidence supports the claim that changing gender roles have influenced girls’ achievement?
Legal and economic changes, such as the Equal Pay Act (1970) and Sex Discrimination Act (1975), have expanded employment opportunities for women, making education more valuable.
How do changing gender roles impact educational achievement?
External social changes have encouraged greater female ambition, leading to their improved performance in school.
What is a criticism of the focus on changing gender roles?
Francis (2001) argues that traditional gender expectations persist—boys are still socialised towards manual labour, meaning their lower achievement is not solely due to external changes but also in-school biases.
P2 What is the main argument about gendered socialisation?
The way boys and girls are socialised differently from childhood influences their approach to education.
How does — explain gendered socialisation?
Norman found that girls are encouraged to be passive, organised, and cooperative, whereas boys are encouraged to be active and competitive.
What evidence supports the claim that gendered socialisation affects educational achievement?
McRobbie (1994) found that girls engage in ‘bedroom culture’ (reading, discussing, and school-related activities), while boys engage in sports and active play, which may develop physical rather than academic skills.
How does gendered socialisation contribute to gender differences in achievement?
: Girls develop skills that align with the education system, while boys may struggle to adapt to the school environment.
What is a criticism of the focus on gendered socialisation?
Swann & Graddol (1994) found that in-school teacher interactions reinforce these gender norms, as girls receive more positive academic encouragement, whereas boys are more likely to be disciplined.
P3 What is the main argument about the crisis of masculinity?
Economic shifts have disproportionately affected working-class boys, reducing their motivation to succeed in education.
How does — explain the crisis of masculinity?
Mac an Ghaill argues that the decline of traditional male employment (e.g., manufacturing and manual labour) has led to a ‘crisis of masculinity’, where boys feel uncertain about their future roles
What evidence supports the claim that economic shifts affect boys’ achievement?
With globalisation and deindustrialisation, many traditional working-class jobs no longer exist, meaning that boys no longer see school as a path to success.
What is a criticism of the crisis of masculinity argument?
This explanation ignores why middle-class boys continue to achieve highly—suggesting that schools themselves contribute to gender differences, rather than just external economic changes.
P4 What is the main argument about the feminisation of education?
Some sociologists argue that in-school factors, rather than external ones, are responsible for gender differences in achievement.
How does the crisis of masculinity contribute to boys’ underachievement?
Boys feel disconnected from educational success due to external economic forces, leading to lower motivation and achievement.
How does — explain the feminisation of education?
Sewell argues that schools have become feminised, prioritising skills that favour girls (e.g., organisation, attentiveness, and extended writing), which disadvantages boys.
What evidence supports the claim that the feminisation of education affects boys’ achievement?
The increase in female teachers provides role models for girls, while boys may feel disengaged from an education system that no longer aligns with traditional masculinity.
How does the feminisation of education contribute to gender differences in achievement?
Schools themselves shape gender differences by prioritising skills that favour girls, disadvantaging boys.
What is a criticism of the feminisation of education argument?
The recent shift back to linear exams (e.g., GCSEs and A-Levels) actually favours boys, as they tend to perform better in high-stakes assessments, challenging the idea that schools inherently disadvantage them.
