GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SUBJECT CHOICE

Question 1

1. Early Socialisation

Answer 1

a. Oakley (1973); sex refers to physical differences between male and female, gender refers to learned cultural differences
b. Boys and girls are socialised differently:
- Boys are rewarded for being tough and showing initiative
- Girls are rewarded for being passive and helpful
c. Children are most comfortable doing tasks within their ‘gender domain’
d. Murphy (1991); study of making estate agent adverts

Question 2

2. Gendered Subject Images

Answer 2

a. Kelly; Science is seen as a boys subject because:
1. Science teachers are more likely to be male
2. Examples used in textbooks are more likely to be comparable to boys’ experiences and interests
3. Boys dominate the apparatus from girls
b. Leonard (2006); Single-sex schools make the pupils choose less traditional options

Question 3

3. Peer Pressure

Answer 3

a. Boys tend to opt out of dance and music for fear of attracting a negative response from their peers
b. Sports considered more masculine; so girls that do them have to deal with a ‘butch’ or ‘lesbian’ image (Dewar; 1990)

Question 4

4. Gendered Career Opportunities

Answer 4

a. Jobs tend to be sex-typed (when certain attributes or pursuits are only considered appropriate for one sex)
b. Women’s role- clerical, secretarial, personal services
c. Only 1/6 of male workers work in these ‘feminine industries’
d. Sex-typing affects perception of what jobs are possible and acceptable, moulding subject choices