Gender - Feminist Views on Girls' Achievement

Question 1

What view do liberal feminists take?

Answer 1

Liberal feminists celebrate the progess made so far in improving achievement.

Question 2

What 3 things do liberal feminists believe will allow girls to progress further in achievement?

Answer 2

They belive that further progress will be made by the continuing development of equal opportunites policies, encouraging positive role models and overcoming sexist attitudes.

Question 3

What other perspective’s view is similar to liberal feminist?

Answer 3

Functionalism.

Question 4

How is functionalism similar to the liberal feminist view?

Answer 4

This is similar to the functionalist view that education is a meritocacy - where all individuals (regardless of class, ethnicity and gender) are given equal opportunity to achieve.

Question 5

What view do radical feminists take?

Answer 5

Radical feminists take a more critical view. They recognise that girls are achieving more, but they emphasise that the education system remains patriarchal.

Question 6

What message do radical feminists believe that the education system conveys?

Answer 6

The education system conveys a clear message that it is still a man’s world.

Question 7

How does the education system show that it is still a ‘man’s world’?

Answer 7

• sexual harrassment in schools.
• girls’ subject choices and career options are still limited.
• male teachers are more likely to become head teachers.
• women are under-represented in many areas of the curriculum.

Question 8

An example of women being under-represented in the curriculum.

Answer 8

Women’s contribution to history is largely ignored.

Question 9

How does Weiner describe the secondary school history curriculum?

Answer 9

Weiner (1993) describes the secondary school history curriculum history curriculum as a ‘woman-free zone’.