Why do boys underachieve- Feminisation of education (Internal) Flashcards
Why does Sewell argue that boys are underachieving in terms of the schools environment ?
Sewell (2006) argues that boys are underachieving because education has become ‘feminised’.
Why does Sewell argue that the education has become feminised ?
Schools no longer embody traditional masculine traits such as competition and leadership
Education is not part of hegemonic masculinity
What qualities do schools celebrate instead that opposes this idea of hegemonic masculinity ?
nstead, schools celebrate qualities that are more closely associated with girls such as methodical working and attentiveness in class
What explanation do some sociologists give to signify that education is becoming more feminised ?
Some sociologists argue that the lack of male role models within school means education has become more feminised.
Can you give an example of how education is becoming more feminised ?
Only 1 in 6 primary school teachers are men
39% of 8-11 year old boys have no lessons with a male teacher.
What does the lack of role models mean for boys ?
Means that girls increasingly have positive role models while boys fail to identify with female teachers
What do some sociologists also argue contributes to boys underachievement in terms of cultural differences outside the home ?
Some sociologists also believe with the rise of female- headed lone-parent families, the lack of male role models at home is a contributing factor to boys underachieve
Why does the rise of female-headed lone-parent families effect boys achievement in schools ?
Boys no longer identify with a breadwinner father- they are less likely to see the value of employment and therefore also of qualification.
What do the New Right say about the rise in lone-parent families ?
New Right - lone-parent families fail to socialise boys, leading to numerous social issues (inc. lack of qualifications).
How does Becky Francis evaluate the argument of the lack of male role models ?
Lack of male role models perhaps isn’t such an important factor in explaining boys underachievement
Becky Francis (2006)- ⅔ of 7-8 years believe that the gender of their teacher does not matter
How does Barbara reed evaluate the argument of the lack of male role models ?
Critical of the claims that culture of primary school is becoming feminised.
Argues against the fact that only male teacher can extent the firm discipline that boys need to achieve (female teachers can do this just as effectively)
What did Barbara Reed study when evaluating the lack of male role models in schools ?
She studied the type of language teachers use to express criticism or disapproval of pupils. She identified two type of language
A disciplinarian discourse (authority is made explicit- shouting)- associated with masculinity
A liberal discourse (authority it implicit and invisible- associated with feminism
What did Barbara Reed conclude from her findings ?
Reed drew two conclusions from her findings
- Most teachers favoured a masculine disciplinarian discourse of control- disproves that the culture of primary schools have become feminised, as argued by Sewell
- Female teachers were just as likely as males to use a ‘masculine’ discourse to control pupils behavior, disproves the claim that only male teachers can provide the stricter classroom culture where boys are said to thrive
What evidence does Jones give to counter the argument of the lack of male role models ?
Jones (2006)- Males teachers in the UK have a one in four chance of gaining headship- women only one
in 13
What should be noted about the argument of boys underachieving in relation to girls success
Boys underachievement is pronounced due to girls success (this factor only perhaps exposes what has already ingrained in the school system for a long time- boys falling behind)
