gender differences in achievement

Question 1

The gender gap in achievement

Answer 1

In the 80s women were less likely to take A levels, less likely to advance to higher education and didn’t do as well as boys in exams

Question 2

In the 90s things changed…

Answer 2

• females had higher % rates than boy at getting GCSES
• boys have had a bigger gap to catch up with females at GCSE
• males were better at Alevels 1970 but females rose above them in 2001

Question 3

Internal factors

Answer 3

In schools girls and boys may be treated differently

Question 4

External factors

Answer 4

Home, family background, and wider society , independence of females, feminism

Question 5

Women’s employment

Answer 5

• equal pay act of 1970 makes it illegal to pay women less for work of equal value
• proportion of women in employment has risen since 1959 at 47% to 70% in 2007
• the at gap has fallen between 30% to 17%
• women have been breaking the invisible barrier

Question 6

Feminism

Answer 6

• 1960s challenge of women stereotypically
• helped raise self esteem
• McRobinson says that in 1970s there was a focus on getting married. In 1990 that changed to being independent

Question 7

Changes in family

Answer 7

• since 1970s increased rates of divorce, increased cohabitation
• increase in single parents
• women recognise effect of this and want to be independent
• to achieve this women need qualifications

Question 8

Girls changing attitudes

Answer 8

70s girls had low expectations, saw ambition and intelligence as ugly, 90s careers