Gender differences in achievement

Question 1

What are the 4 external factors that have affected girls achievement?

Answer 1

• impact of feminism
• changes in the family
• changes in women employment
• girls changing ambitions

Question 2

How has feminism & changes in womens employment impacted gender differences in achievement?

Answer 2

• feminist movement has challenged the traditional stereotype of a women’s role as solely that of mother and housewife in patriarchal NF
• their success in improving women’s rights & opportunities have occurred through changes to the law e.g. 1970 Equal pay act, 1975 sex discrimination act, women breaking through the glass ceiling
• encouraged girls to see their future in terms of paid work rather than housewives & provide incentives for girls to gain qualifications

Question 3

How has changes in the family and girls changing ambitions affected gender differences in achievement?

Answer 3

• changes in the family since the 1970s include an increase in divorce rate, cohabitation, LPF
  > changes have affected girls attitudes towards education e.g. increase in matrifocal LPF creates a adult role model for girls > financial independent women which encourages girls to look to themselves & their own qualifications to make a living
• Sue Sharpe evidences for this >