Gender Sociologists

Question 1

Sharpe

Answer 1

girls’ priorities were ‘job, career and being able to support themselves’ above all other priorities

Question 2

Francis and Skelton

Answer 2

the majority appear to see their chosen career as reflecting their identity and a vehicle for future fulfilment

Question 3

Burns and Bracey

Answer 3

Many boys believe that school work should be done at school and not prepared to redraft assignments

Question 4

Hannan

Answer 4

boys relate to their peers by doing (being active) whereas girls relate to each other by talking therefore improving their language and comprehension skills. Among boys peer pressure is often very strong – boys who do well are often helped at home – may consider it weak to request help from a teacher

Question 5

Kirby

Answer 5

communicative play through organised social games has been replaced with TV and computer games – decline in family discussions – reduced opportunities for boys to catch up with language development

Question 6

Mac an Ghaill

Answer 6

suggest boys are experiencing ‘crisis of masculity’ – socialised into breadwinner role but decline in manufacturing industry and rise in long term unemployment makes it increasingly unlikely

Question 7

Mitsos and Browne

Answer 7

teachers are not as critical with boys as girls – lower expectations
Boys are less positively influenced than girls or turned off – primary school environment

Question 8

Osler

Answer 8

current focus on boys exclusion and underachievement is masking exclusion amongst girls which is increasing faster than boys. African Caribbean girls – often successful but also are more vulnerable to exclusion. Despite this support systems are targeting black boys leaving girls with little support