Gender Differences: External

Question 1

Changes in the Family

Answer 1

• Primary socialisation - girls are socialised into a bedroom culture - submissive + quiet attitude favoured by schools (Becker: ideal pupil).
• Increase in divorce rates + lone-parent families headed by women (90%) means that they become the breadwinner - mothers act as role models to girls.
• High divorce rate - women don’t rely on husbands to be providers.

Question 2

Changes in Women Employment

Answer 2

• Mitsos + Browne: growing service sector has created more ‘feminised’ career opportunities, e.g. healthcare, teaching, childcare.
• Equal Pay Act: since 1975, pay gap has halved from 30% to 15%.
• However, glass ceiling + gender pay gap still exists.

Question 3

Mitsos + Browne

Answer 3

Growing service sector has created more ‘feminised’ career opportunities, e.g. healthcare, teaching, childcare.

Question 4

Sharpe

Answer 4

Shift in aspirations from the 70s to the 90s, more career-minded.

Question 5

O’Connor

Answer 5

Marriage is no longer a part of girls’ life plan.

Question 6

McRobbie

Answer 6

Women now stress independence + assertiveness.

Question 7

Beck

Answer 7

Independence is valued more than in the past.

Question 8

Fuller

Answer 8

• Educational success is a part of girls’ identities.
• However, w/c girls expressed a desire for low-level jobs + to leave education.

Question 9

Reay

Answer 9

w/c girls - traditional gender roles offer them a sense of status.