Topic 4 Gender Differences (Girls/Boys Achievement)

Question 1

Name 4 external factors as to why girls achieve

Answer 1

1. The impact of feminism
2. Changes in the family
3. Changes in women’s employment
4. Girls changing attitudes

Question 2

Why does the impact of feminism affect girls’ achievement (theorist)

Answer 2

Feminism has improved women’s rights changing suppressive laws.

McRobbie found that overtime due to feminism how women are presented has changed. Portraying women as strong and independent.

Question 3

Why does changes in the family affect girls’ achievement

Answer 3

Girls have become less reliant on marriage as they have strong independent role models and divorce rates discourage reliance on husbands

Question 4

Why does changes in women’s employment affect girls’ achievement

Answer 4

The equal pay act made it illegal for women to be payed less than men. This allows women to break through the ‘glass ceiling’ into upper management. Girls are more incetiviesed to do well.

Question 5

Why does girls’ changing attitudes affect their achievement (theorist)

Answer 5

Sharpe - Girls have gone from prioritising love towards prioritising careers and being self sufficient

Question 6

Name 4 internal factors that help girls achieve un education

Answer 6

1. Equal opportunities policies
2. GCSE and coursework
3. Teacher attention
4. Selection and league tables

Question 7

Why do equal opportunities policies affect girls’ achievement (theorist)

Answer 7

GIST and WISE encourage girls to pursue non-traditional areas

Boiler - Due to these policies, barriers to success have been removed, and education is more meritocratic

Question 8

Why do GCSEs and coursework affect girls’ achievement (theorist)

Answer 8

Gorard - claims the gender gap was consistent until the introduction of GCSEs where girls shot up in performance. So the gender gap is down to changes on assessment rather than failure of boys

Question 9

Why does teacher attention affect girls’ achievement (theorist)

Answer 9

Teachers treat boys and girls differently,
Francis - boys were disciplined more harshly than girls and felt picked on

Question 10

Why does selection and league tables affect girls’ achievement (theorist)

Answer 10

Jackson - girls achieve more highly then boys so are more attractive to schools

Question 11

What are liberal feminists views on girls’ achievement in school

Answer 11

They celebrate the progress that has been made so far and see education as meritocratic

Question 12

What are radical feminists views on girls’ achievement in school

Answer 12

The system is still patriarchal as girls are sexually harassed at school and male teachers are more likely to be head of school

Question 13

How do feminine identities affect working class girls’ achievement (theorist)

Answer 13

Archer et al. - feminine identities clash with the ethos of the school.

To gain a sense of self, girls adopt 3 identities

• hyper-heterosexual feminine identity where girls wear makeup to fit in
• having a boyfriend which brings symbolic capital but lowers self-worth
• being ‘loud’ being outspoken and independent in doing so not meeting teachers’ expectations

Question 14

Name 2 external factors and 3 internal factors as to why boys fall short in school.

Answer 14

External Factors
1. Literacy
2. Globalisation

Internal factors
1. Feminisation of education
2. Shortage of male teachers
3. “Laddish” subculture

Question 15

How does boys’ literacy affect them in education

Answer 15

Mothers spend less time reading with their sons and reading is seen as a feminine activity.

Only girls have a bedroom culture

Question 16

How does globalisation affect boys education? (Theorist)

Answer 16

The manufacturing industry has been relocated overseas to take advantage of cheap labour.

Mitsos and Browne argue this has lead to an identity crisis for men reducing motivation

Question 17

How has the femisation of education affected boys’ education (theorist)

Answer 17

Sewell - school does not nurture masculine traits such as competitiveness and leadership

Question 18

How has a shortage of male teachers affected boys’ education (evidence)

Answer 18

A lack of male role models is said to cause boys to underachieve.

39% of 8 to 11 year old boys don’t have male teachers

Question 19

How have “laddish” subcultures affected boys’ education (theorist)

Answer 19

Epstein - wc boys are more likely to be harrased if they are invested in education. As its seen as feminine

Question 20

Name one government policy to prevent underachievement in girls and one for boys.

Answer 20

Girls - Equal opportunities policies like GIST and WISE
Boys - national literacy strategy

Question 21

How does intersectionality affect your view on boys’ and girls’ achievement

Answer 21

Girls and boys of the same social class achieve similar results

Gender gaps are larger among black Caribbeans