Gender - External Factors + Gender Differences in Achievement - Changes in the Family

Question 1

What are examples of changes in the family since the 1970s?

Answer 1

• an increase in divorce rates
• an increase in cohabition (couples who live together but aren’t married)
• a decrease in the number of first marriages
• an increase in lone parent families
• smaller families

Question 2

How has the increase in lone parent families affected girls’ attitudes towards education

Answer 2

The increase in lone parent families means that more women take on breadwinner role.
This then creates a new role model for girls - the financially independant women and to achieve this independance, women will need a well paid job, and to achieve this they need good qualifications.

Question 3

How has the increase in divorce rates affected girls’ attitudes towards education?

Answer 3

The increase in divorce rates may suggest to girls that it is unwise to rely on husband to be their provider. Again, this may encourage girls to look to themselves and their own qualifications to make a living.