Feminists Perspective On Education (conflict Theory)

Question 1

What does the feminist perspective cover

Answer 1

Achievement by gender 
Experience of different genders in education 
Gender socialisation 
Formation of gendered identities 
Gendered subject images

Question 2

Achievement by gender

Answer 2

Historically girls underachieved in comparison to boys

• lower expectations
• gendered subject choices
• career paths
• socialisation into expressive roles

Since the 1980’s girls have started to achieve higher than boys

• rise of feminism
• career aspirations
• feminisation of education
• educated female role models

Sue Sharpe’s theory

Question 3

Experience of different genders in education

Answer 3

Sexual harassment of girls in schools- ‘male gaze’ (boys will be boys)

Higher expectations on girls for behaviour (seen as quiet and hardworking)

Rigid controls on girls behaviour (girls often take the blame for boys behaviours)

Question 4

Gender socialisation

Answer 4

Girls more controlled by parents and teachers
Girls have less freedom (control in time, space and bodies)
Canalisation of educational toys (expressive roles)
Books and imagery- lobban (present female characters in domestic roles)

Question 5

Formation of gender identities

Answer 5

Schools reinforce traditional feminine identities:
Uniform regulations (appearances being controlled)
Sexual behaviours (double standards)
Sports

Question 6

Gender subject images

Answer 6

Traditionally male and female gender domains

• science- male
• humanities- female

Change in gendered images represent girls more positively
Initiatives such as GIST and WISE
Not replicated for males

Question 7

Evaluations

Answer 7

Despite progress in achievement, many issues remain

• gender pay gap
• glass ceiling

Jackson et al- focus is on boys underachievement in education, rather than inequality beyond education

Education increasingly female- dominated- 80% of graduates in education are female