Gender // Girls + External

Question 1

what are the main external reasons for girls improvement in achievement

Answer 1

• impact of feminism
• changes in the family
• changes in women’s employment
• girls changing ambitions and perceptions

Question 2

describe how the impact of feminism explains girls improvement in achievement

Answer 2

-feminism has raised girls expectations and ambitions in regard to careers and family since the 60s

Question 3

give a study that supports the impact of feminism as an explanation for girls educational improvement

Answer 3

McRobbies ; 70s magazines stressed importance of marriage and 90s magazines emphasised careers and independence

Question 4

say how changes in the family explain girls educational improvement

Answer 4

• inc in female headed lone parent families do more women become breadwinners for the family
• independent career minded role model for girls; want good qualifications to be like role model so try harder at school

Question 5

say how changes in careers explains girls educational improvement

Answer 5

• proportion of women in emolument risen from 50% in 1959 to 70 % currently (men 80%)
• more women in high up professional jobs previously denied to them
• provides incentive for girls to take education seriously

Question 6

say how girls changing ambitions explains girls academic improvements

Answer 6

• changes to family/emolument produce changes to girls ambitions
• more girls aim to be independent which is achieved through good qualifications and jobs so they are more motivated

Question 7

give the 4 study’s that support girls changing ambitions as a cause for girls academic improvement

Answer 7

Sue Sharpe
O’Connor
Beck and Beck-Gersheim
Fuller

Question 8

what is Sue Sharpes study

Answer 8

• interviewed girls in the 70s and 90s
• 70s girls had low aspirations and education as undermining to their priorities (marriage and children )
• 90s girls saw a future of independence and careers rather than family

Question 9

what is O’Connors study

Answer 9

for 14-17 yo marriage isn’t a major part of life plan

Question 10

what is Beck and Beck Gersheims study

Answer 10

independence more valued by women than it used to be
girls motivated by want for independence and how it is gained via good quals

Question 11

what is Fullers study

Answer 11

• educational success central to black girls identity

- aspirations required educational qualifications so they were very motivated

Question 12

criticise girls changing ambitions as an explanation for girls academic achievement

Answer 12

Reay and Biggart argue aspirations limited by class eg w/c girls have limited aspirations and see motherhood and low level jobs in future

Question 13

criticise change in careers as an explanation for girls academic improvements

Answer 13

wage gap still exists eg women currently make 80% if mens median hourly wages