Outline and explain two reasons why girls and boys often choose to study different subjects.

Question 1

Point 1

Answer 1

Norman

• found that parents socialise boys and girls in different ways, tend to be more gentle with girls and bys are encouraged to run around and ‘let of steam’ more
• may explain why boys do active subjects like PE and girls to reflective subjects such as sociology
• boys and girls also played with different toys, girls played with dolls and boys played with cars and tool boxes, meaning girls take of health and care and boy take up engineering

Question 2

Point 2

Answer 2

Peer pressure

• stereotypically, ‘real men’ are good at sports and so boys are under pressure to fit into their male peer group
• Archer: hegemonic feminity also requires that girls ‘look good’ which could explain why it is mostly girls who do hair and beauty courses