Gender - Theorists

Question 1

KEY THEORIST: McRobbie

Answer 1

Feminist. In the 70s, girls’ magazines encouraged marriage. In the 90s they emphasised career and independence

Question 2

Sue Sharpe

Answer 2

Feminist. Interviewed girls in the 70s, they saw educational success as unfeminine, prioritising marriage. In the 90s, girls wanted a career

Question 3

O’Connor (2006)

Answer 3

Feminist. In14-17 year olds, marriage and children were not part of their life plans

Question 4

Biggart (2002)

Answer 4

Feminist. Working Class girls tend to have insecure jobs, so tend to see motherhood as the only option

Question 5

Mitsos and Browne (1998)

Answer 5

Girls are more organised and try harder, which means they do better than boys in coursework

Also say mothers reading to their children gives girls a same-sex role model for reading

Created the phrase “crisis of masculinity”, meaning men losing their sense of self

Question 6

Abraham (1995)

Answer 6

Teachers see boys as more badly behaved than girls

Question 7

Francis (2001)

Answer 7

Boys get more attention in general, but are disciplined more harshly and have lower expectations placed on them

Question 8

Gaby Weiner (1995)

Answer 8

Since the 80s, teachers have been challenging gendered stereotypes

Question 9

Kirkby (2000)

Answer 9

Kids no longer play outside/play organised social games. Instead they watch TV/play computer games, which may decrease linguistic development

Question 10

Becky Francis

Answer 10

Boys are more likely to have unrealistic career aspirations which require few academic qualifications, e.g. professional footballer

Question 11

Tony Sewell

Answer 11

Boys fall behind in education because schools have become feminised through a focus on coursework etc.

Question 12

Mac an Ghaill

Answer 12

Boys are more likely to resist school rules/learning, seeing it as feminine

Also says the male gaze encourages heterosexuality and makes femininity seem lesser than masculinity