Gender differences in subject choice

Question 1

How does ‘gender role socialisation’ relate to gender differences in subject choice?

(girls and boys have different expectations about behaviour in society and so they are socialised differently)

Answer 1

• boys are encouraged to be rough, girls are encouraged to be quiet and clean
• this influences their different tastes in reading (boys read hobby books, girls read stories about people etc)
• this explains why girls choose english and boys choose sciences
• gender domains (what tasks, subjects etc belong to each gender) also influences subject choice

Question 2

How does ‘gendered subject images’ and role models relate to gender differences in subject choice?

(who will be attracted to the subject)

Answer 2

• more male science teachers + female english teachers = role models
• science is seen as a male subject and attracts men:
• examples from text books usually draw on male interests
• men dominate the laboratory as if they own it

Question 3

How does ‘peer pressure and conformity’ relate to gender differences in subject choice?

Answer 3

• pressure to conform to social norms

* parental expectations may dictate subject choice - encouraged to follow traditions/’normal’ subjects

Question 4

How does negative labelling relate to gender differences in subject choice?

Answer 4

• boys attacked for being feminine and reading, ‘girly’

* less boys take english