External Factors and Gender Differences in Achievement Flashcards
Describe the impact of feminism on gender achievement
- 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 have affected girls’ self-image and ambitions regarding careers, explaining improvements in education
How does changes in the family affect gender achievement?
- Since the 1970s, there’s been increased divorce, more lone parent families, smaller families, increase in cohabitation
- Leads to more female-headed lone parent families which create 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
How does changes in women’s employment affect gender achievement?
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.
How does girls’ changing ambitions affect gender achievement?
Sharpe (1994) found that in the 1970s, 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’re now more likely to be independent women with careers.
Describe how working class girls’ ambitions have changed
- 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.
