Feminism

Question 1

Social control AO1

Answer 1

Education reinforces patriarchy and controls women
Through different subject choices women have less access to top jobs in society
The male gaze and sexual double standards in schools make sure women are seen as sexual objects, which further controls their behaviour

Question 2

Social control AO3

Answer 2

Functionalists see this view as too negative. Boys and girls choose different subjects because they are naturally suited to different subjects. Girls are more likely to choose childcare because this is their biological role.
• This will prepare them well for their primary role in society - being caregiver in a family.

Question 3

Secondary socialisation AO1

Answer 3

Education system socialises boys and girls into different gender identities
- girls are encouraged to be passive and communicative whilst boys are encouraged to take prestigious subjects like maths and sciences
- boys are therefore more likely to go to the best unis and get the best jobs, reinforcing patriarchy

Question 4

Secondary socialisation AO3

Answer 4

Marxists point out this ignores the more important conflict - class.
socializing pupils into the values of capitalism, which maintains class inequality.

Question 5

Specialist skills AO1

Answer 5

Education system passes on skills which are gendered
Boys are taught skills required to perform the instrumental role- they are usually the main earners in the family
Girls are prepared for the expressive role- they usually take the lead in childcare and domestic work - subject choices eg Health and Social prepare them for this

Question 6

Specialist skills AO3

Answer 6

Postmodernists would see this as an outdated idea. Boys and girls now have choices in education, and can learn
whatever is best suited to them as individuals. Gender is no longer a barrier

Question 7

Sifting and sorting AO1

Answer 7

• school prepares boys and girls for their different roles in the family and society.
• For example, usually girls are more likely to take ‘feminine’ subjects like English, drama and food technology whilst maths and sciences are male dominated.
• This reinforces gender inequality as boys are better able to get the best and most powerful jobs in society even though girls now get better results - there is a
glass ceiling
There is a ‘hidden curriculum’ whereby pupils are taught to accept patriarchy and adhere to their gender scripts

Question 8

Sifting and sorting AO3

Answer 8

• Girls now outperform boys in education and are more likely to go the higher education, which undermines the feminist view that girls are being prepared to fulfil only the expressive role. (GIST and WISE)
•However, feminists point out that even though girls now get better results and go to HE, they STILL do not achieve the top jobs in society, which proves that patriarchy still exists.