Gender & Education

Question 1

6 reasons as to why are boys doing worse in school?

Answer 1

1) Lack of male role models
2) Macho-image
3) Feminization of education
4) Easily distracted (5 min concentration span)
5) Socialisation (active play)
6) Parental interest more focused on daughter

Question 2

3 social policies that benefit girls in school

Answer 2

1) G.I.S.T.
2) G.A.T.E.
3) W.I.S.E.

Question 3

Outline 1 finding of Sue Sharpe’s gender attitudes research

Answer 3

1) Girls priorities were now their career and money

Question 4

How do girls benefit from socialisation in comparison to boys?

Answer 4

1) Boys = active play (sports, see reading as girly)
2) Girls = passive play (reading, writing)

Girls have advantage as they are better prepared

Question 5

5 reasons as to why girls are succeeding in school

Answer 5

1) Change of attitudes (prioritise career)
2) Parental interest focuses on girls
3) Socialisation
4) Social policies (GIST GATE WISE)
5) Longer attention span than boys

Question 6

Outline Mac an Ghail’s 3 types of working class boys

Answer 6

1) Macho Lads
- Academic failures
- Reject school n + v
- Want instant gratification
- Concerned about social image

2) Academic achievers
- In top class sets
- Value school n + v
- Want deferred gratification
- Hard-working

3) New Enterprisers
- Dominate vocational courses
- Value school n + v
- Want deferred gratification
- Hard-working

Question 7

How does Eccles explain girls success in education?

Answer 7

Girls get more parental interest than bout

Question 8

Outline Sue Archer’s idea of ‘dual pressures’

Answer 8

Girls being concerned with gaining both symbolic capital and economic capital

Question 9

Define ‘symbolic capital’

Answer 9

Popularity