Gender Flashcards
What is the gender gap in GCSE percentage? 2013
10%
What are boys and girls like when starting schools?
Girls sew consistently better in all learning areas, including personal and social development.
What did Angela McRobbie find when studying girls magazines and what does this mean for achievement?
In the 1970s, magazines emphasised the importance of getting married and not being ‘left on the shelf’. Nowadays, they contain images of assertive, independent women.
The changes encouraged by feminism may affect girl’s self image and ambitions which means they will work harder in school.
Why does changes in the family affect girl’s attitudes towards education?
Increased number of female headed lone parent families, more women need to take on a breadwinner role. This creates a new role model for girls. To achieve independence like their mother they need a good career and therefore good qualifications.
The rising divorce rate suggests to girls that it is unwise to rely on a husband to provide.
How has changes in women’s employment affected girl’s attitudes?
Workplace laws and acts.
Breaking through the glass ceiling.
More equal pay.
These changes encourages girls to see their future in terms of paid work rather than being housewives.
What did Sue Sharpe find in her interviews about changing ambitions?
In 1974, girls had low aspirations. Educational success was seen as unattractive. Their priority would be their husband and children.
In the 19902, girls had different priorities - careers and being independent.
What class differences in how far girls’ ambitions have changed are there?
Wc girls continue to have gender stereotyped aspirations for marriage and expect to go into traditional low paid women’s work.
What is GIST and WISE?
Girls into science and technology
Women into science and engineering
Policies to encourage girls to pursue careers in these non traditional areas.
How did the National Curriculum get rid of gender inequality in 1988?
Made girls and boys study mostly the same topics.
How does the increase of female teachers and head teachers give girls positive role models?
Shows girls they can achieve positions of importance. To become a teacher the women must go through a lengthy education themselves, so inspire other girls.
Why do some sociologists argue that the way pupils are assessed favours girls?
Gorard found that the gender gap increased sharply the year coursework was introduced.
Mitsos and Browne argue that girls are more successful in coursework because they are more conscientious and organised than boys. They can meet deadlines, bring the write equipment and spend more time on their work.
This comes from primary socialisation when girls are encouraged to be neat and patient.
Although it is argued that now coursework is being taken away to reduce the gender gap
What did Swann find about gender differences in communication styles?
Boys dominate class discussions and interrupt group work. Girls take turns speaking. Teachers therefore, respond more positively to girls = greater self esteem = self fulfilling prophecy
How has challenging stereotypes in the curriculum helped girls achievement?
Removal of gender stereotypes from textbooks has removed a barrier in girl’s achievement. Originally presented as housewives, scared of science and less inventive.
What does David Jackson say about marketisation?
The introduction of league tables has improved opportunities for girls- high achieveing girls are attractive to schools. Low achieving boys are not. They are seen as ‘liability students’. This creates a self fulfilling prophecy where girls go to better schools.
Why would radical feminists take a more critical view of these factors?
It is still a man’s world-
Sexual harassment in schools, education limits girl’s subject choices, male teachers are more likely to become heads, women are underrepresented in the curriculum (history)
What did Archer find about working class girls’ identities?
By performing their WC feminine identities, the girls gained symbolic capital from their peers. However, this brought them into conflict with the school which prevented them from gaining educational and economic capital.
Girls followed several strategies for creating a valued sense of self- hyper sexual, boyfriend, loud
What did Archer find about hyper sexualised feminine identities adopted by wc girls?
Spent time, effort and money on looking desirable. Constructed identities that combined black, urban American styles with unisex sportswear. Sexy clothes and make up.
Brought them status from peers, not labelled a tramp for wearing wrong brand.
Conflict with school- punished for wrong appearance. Teachers saw their preoccupation with appearance as a distraction.
Leads to schools ‘othering’ the girls.
What did Archer find about wc girls having boyfriends?
Having a bf brought symbolic capital but lowered girls’ aspirations and grades. These girls aspired to settle down and work locally in wc feminine jobs like childcare.
What did archer find about WC girls being loud?
Lead to them being outspoken, independent and assertive. Eg questioning teacher’s authority. Fails to conform with the ideal female student who is passive. They interpreted their behaviour as aggressive rather than assertive.
