Topic 4: Gender - In-school factors (subject choice)

Question 1

Are there still stark differences in subject choice?

Answer 1

Yes.

Despite achievement gaps narrowing, there is still a large difference in subject choice.

Question 2

Why do feminists, such as Anne Colley (1998), feel that stereotypical trends in subject choice are actually a problem?

Answer 2

The type of subjects girls choose (which then impact what they can do at uni) often leads to lower-status and lower-paid professions than boys.

Question 3

Roughly, how many boys chose Physics A-Level in 2013, compared to girls?

Answer 3

Boys: 28,000
Girls: 7,400

Question 4

Contrastingly, what was the difference in choice of A-Level English in 2013?

Answer 4

Boys: 25,200
Girls: 64,000
Over 2.5x as many girls chose English.

Question 5

Are the patterns found at A-Level reflected at university?

Answer 5

Yes.
Men often opt for STEM subjects whereas women tend to go into the Humanities, Arts, and Languages.
This could be a likely contributor to significant career differences between men and women.

Question 6

What does Colley (1998) argue is the reason for the difference in subject choice?

Answer 6

She believes it is partly to do with wider society.

The influence of the family is significant - many parents believe there are toys only for one gender.

Question 7

Why does Colley also blame the education system for the difference in subject choice?

Answer 7

Wider cultural views and stereotypes may permeate through the system - trad ideas about masc and fem may be held by teachers.
These views are transmitted to students through teaching styles - girls in same-sex schools are 2x more likely to study Maths at uni.