gender differences in achievement - boys & achievement

Question 1

How has globalisation impacted boys achievement?

Answer 1

Mitsos & Browne
— since 1980s, there has been a decline in heavy industries such as mining and engineering, due to globalisation of the economy which has caused the manufacturing industry to re locate to developing countries such as china for cheap labour
— these sectors mainly employed men
—decline of male employment opportunities has led to an identity crisis for men, many boys believe they have little chance of getting a job, this undermines their motivation and they give up trying to gain qualifications

Question 2

How has education become feminised?

Answer 2

Sewell
— boys fall behind because the education system has become feminised, schools do not nurture masculine traits such as competitiveness and leadership instead they celebrate qualities more closely associated with girls such as methodical working and attentiveness in class
— sees coursework as a major cause of gender differences in achievement

Question 3

Stats to show shortage of male teachers

Answer 3

Yougov — only 14% of primary school teachers are male, 39% of 8-11 year olds say they have no lessons whatsoever with a male teacher
Yet 42% of boys said that the presence of a male teacher made them work harder

Question 4

How has the growth of a laddish subculture caused boys underachievement?

Answer 4

Epstein
— examined the way masculinity is constructed within school, she found that working class boys are more likely to be harassed, labelled as sissies and subjected to homophobic verbal abuse

Francis
— boys were more concerned then girls about being labelled by peers as swots because it was a threat to their masculine identity
— w/c culture, masculinity is equated with being tough, doing manual work thus non manual work is seen as effeminate and inferior

Question 5

How does boys’ socialisation cause them to achieve lower grades?

Answer 5

Edwards and David
Parents allow boys to be noisier and more attention seeking which translated into primary school boys breaking the rules and being less bothered about completing work
Boys have trouble sitting and concentrating, believed school work should only be done at school
Boys behaviour was shaped by peer group with ‘macho values’

Question 6

According to the gov.uk website, what percentage of men teach in nursery, primary & secondary school?

Answer 6

14% of nursery and primary school teachers are male, 35% of secondary school teachers
2023/24