reasons for the underachievement of boys

Question 1

leisure activities/literacy

Answer 1

-boys less likely to read in their leisure time
-parents less time spending reading to their sons compared to daughters
-boys leisure activities e.g sports do little to help develop language activity compared to girls bedroom culture- stay in + chat to friends
-poorer language skills overall = boys likely to underperform

Question 2

crisis of masculinity

Answer 2

-due to the decline of traditional working-class male jobs e.g shipbuilding + mining due to globalisation
-also the collapse of the traditional male role of breadwinner in the family
-led to identity crisis for men, boys feel demotivated + lack effort in school

-despite this= traditional male wc jobs don’t require academic qualifications so seems unlikely this had such a significant impact

Question 3

feminisation of education

Answer 3

-sewell argues education has become ‘feminised’= does not nurture or value ‘masculine traits’ e.g competitiveness or leadership
-boys=feeling isolated + unmotivated + under valued
-vast majority of teachers=girls, lack positive role model

Question 4

laddish subcultures

Answer 4

-argue that the growth of ‘laddish’ subcultures has led to male underachievement
-Esptein found that wc boys especially are likely to be labelled as ‘sissies’ + subjected to homophobic verbal abuse
-learning + being academically able not seen as compatible with masculinity = so boys deliberately create an anti-school ‘image’ avoid getting bullied