Topic 4 Gender Differences (Gender Subject Choice And Identities)

Question 1

How do educational choices differ when possible between girls and boys

Answer 1

At GCSE level boys often choose DT whereas girls choose Food Tech

At A level girls often pick more essay based subjects

In Vocational subject the difference is much grater. In childcare 1 in 100 applicants are boys

Question 2

What are the 4 explanations for gender differences in subject choice

Answer 2

1. Gender role socialisation
2. Gendered subject choice
3. Gender identity and peer pressure
4. Gendered career opportunities

Question 3

Explain how gender role socialisation affects gender differences in subject choice (theorist)

Answer 3

Byrne - internally teachers encourage boys to be tough and girls to be quite and tidy. As a result they develop different tastes

Question 4

Explain how gendered subject choices affects gender differences in subject choice (theorist)

Answer 4

Kelly - argues science is seen as a male subject as science teachers are more likely to be men and form male role models

Question 5

Explain how gender identity and peer pressure affects gender differences in subject choice (theorist)

Answer 5

Dewar - found male students would call girls “lesbian” if they engaged in sport

Question 6

Explain how gendered career opportunities affect gender differences in subject choice

Answer 6

Women are concentrated into a narrow range of occupations which may be mirrored in education. This could explain why vocational courses a so gendered as they reflect career paths.

Question 7

Define the term double standards

Answer 7

When we apply a set of moral standards to one group but a different set to another

Question 8

What are the 3 types of experiences in school that reinforce gender identity

Answer 8

1. Verbal abuse/male gaze
2. Teachers and discipline
3. Male and female peer groups

Question 9

How does verbal abuse reinforce gender identity (theorist)

Answer 9

Connell identified a “rich vocabulary of abuse” as a way in which gender identities are reinforced, such as using name calling to put people who don’t conform down

Question 10

How do male peer groups reinforce gender identity (theorist)

Answer 10

Willis found boys in anti-school subcultures who wanted to do well were labelled as ‘gay’

Question 11

How do female peer groups reinforce gender identity (theorist)

Answer 11

Ringrose found that in wc subcultures girls felt it was crucial to be popular feeling tension between their sexual identity and the idealised feminine identity