External Factors and Gender Differences in Achievement Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the impact of feminism on gender achievement
A
- The feminist movement, 1960s, has challenged the traditional role of women as a ‘housewife’ and given them more rights through attitude and legal changes
- McRobbie (1994) found in 1970s girls’ magazines emphasised the importance of marriage while nowadays they contain assertive and independent women e.g Lizzo on the cover of Vogue.
- This may affected girls’ self-image and ambitions regarding careers, explaining improvements in education
2
Q
How does changes in the family affect gender achievement?
A
- Since the 1970s, there’s been increased divorce, more lone parent families, smaller families, increase in cohabitation
- This leads to more female-headed lone parent families creating a role model for girls, a financially independent women.
- Increase in divorce also shows girls they shouldn’t rely on a husband to provide, encouraging them to get their own qualifications
3
Q
How does changes in women’s employment affect gender achievement?
A
The 1970 Equal Pay Act and 1975 Sex Discrimination Act helped to decrease the gender gap, has gone from 30% to 15%. This leads to women breaking through ‘glass ceilings’ (invisible barriers). This leads to more successful career women and then more role models for girls.
4
Q
How does girls’ changing ambitions affect gender achievement?
A
- Sharpe (1994) found that in 1974, girls believed educational success was unfeminine and had low aspirations. While in 1990, girls now prioritised careers and marriage and children weren’t a major part. They now more likely to be independent women with careers.
5
Q
Describe how working class girls’ ambitions have changed
A
- Working class girls have gender-stereotyped aspirations for marriage and expect to go into low-paid work.
- Biggart (2000) found WC girls are more likely to have insecure work position and see motherhood as the only option so education is valued less.
