Ext factors- gender diff achievement

Question 1

4 Reasons why girls now do better

Answer 1

1) Girls changing ambitions
2) Impact of feminism
3) changes in family
4) changes in women employment

Question 2

What is the impact of feminism on women’s achievement?

 MCROBBIE STUDY?

Answer 2

• Challenged stereotypes
• increased self-esteem , increased expectations and ambition
• Has had success in improving women’s right and opportunities through changes in law

points to change in magazines (media)
 1970s = ‘traditional’ women; emphasis on the importance of marriage
 1990s = assertive, independent women
 Has helped raise expectations and self-esteem of women

Question 3

What is the impact of changes in family on women’s achievement?

Answer 3

since the 1970s such as an increase in divorce rates, increased cohabitation, smaller families and increased number of lone parent families
 Women take breadwinner role = new role model = financially independent = have impacted girls’ attitudes towards education

Question 4

What is the impact of changes in women’s employment on women’s achievement?

Answer 4

1970 Equal Pay Act – pay gap has since fallen from 30% to 17%
1975 Sex Discrimination Act
Proportion women emp - 53% 1971
67% 2013
Mitsos and Brown
Argue - growing sector ‘feminised’ career op e.g. teaching , childcare, health care

Question 5

Studies that shows there is a change in girls ambitions?

Answer 5

Changes in the family and in employment are producing changes in girls ambitions.
This is backed up by Sharpe (1994) and her study ‘Just Like a Girl’
1970’s: Main priority of girls is to settle down and start a family and have children - intelligence was unattractive
However in the 1990’s girls main priority is education and a career