Sociological Explanations for Gender differences in Subject Choice Flashcards
What is Gender Role Socialisation (External)
•Murphy and Elwood-There are different tastes in reading choices and therefore subject choice.Boys read books that have information text or comics while girls are more likely to read stories such as princesses this is why boys prefer stem subjects such as maths and girls enjoy essay such as English
•Norman says early age boys and girls are treated differently they are given different clothes and toys which wll encourage them to take part in different activities
What is Gendered Subjects Images (Internal)?
Kelly argues that science is seen as boys subjects because: Science teachers are more likely male,examples used to teach concepts often drawn on boys rather than girls interests,Science lessons boys monopolise the apparatus and dominate the lessons
What is Gender identity within School (Internal)?
Pupils reinforce their gender identities reinforcing ‘hygemonic masulinity’-dominance of heterosexual masculine identity
* Male gaze-Mac and Ghaill argue the way male pupils and teacher looking girls up and down seeing them as sexual objects
* Verbal abuse-Abusive language between pupils reinforce dominant greater identities and boy will be called ‘gay’ if he is friendly polite and gets along with female
* Double standards-boy will boast about their own sexual exploits but if girls do the same they will be called ‘slags’
What is Teacher and Discipline?
Mac an Ghaill found teacher play part in reinforcing gender identites male teachers have told boys off for ‘behaving like girls’in classroomtherefore girls typically choose feminie subjects such as English and Boys typically masculine subjects such as Maths
What is Female gender identites and peer groups?
- Girls see peer group as a positive effect on education achieve of girls which supports each other but boys see education as feminine and not masculine
What are the 3 type of feminine identity?
•Idealised feminine identity-showing loyalty to the female group
•Sexualised identity-involves competing for boys in the dating culture
* Girls who are too competitive they are risk of being ‘slut shaming’ whereas girls who don’t compete for boyfriends are face ‘frigid shaming’
•Boffin identity-Girl who want to be successful educationally may feel the need to conform to the school notion of ideal female identity
Gender identity and peer pressure?
Boys often drop out of music because of negative peer response
While girls if they choose Sports they are called by boys being ‘Butch’ or ‘lesbian’ also links to subject image and gender domains sport is masculine and music is female
