Why do girls achieve better than males - Girls changing ambitions (External) Flashcards
What job prospects have there been a decline and rise in?
There has been a decline in recent years of what were traditionally known as ‘men’s jobs’ particularly in semi-skilled and unskilled manual work, while there are growing employment opportunities for women in the service sector
What has the decline in ‘mens jobs’ meant for women
As a consequence, girls have become more ambitious, and they are less likely to see having a home and family as their main role in life
Explain Helen Wilkinsons study on the service sector - think about why this may have affected women’s attitudes to education
Service Sector (Helen Wilkinson)- changes to the UK economy in the last 30 years
Used to be dominated by heavy industry (work done by men) but now more of a service economy (retail)
Rise of service sector accompanied by the feminisation of the work as most of these jobs have been taken up by women
- As a consequence, girls have become more ambitious, and they are less likely to see having a home and family as their main role in life
Give example of political and legal changes- think about why this may have affected women’s attitudes to education
1970 Equal Pay and 1975 Discrimination Act —–> discrimination in workplace outlawed by gov
- As a consequence, girls have become more ambitious, and they are less likely to see having a home and family as their main role in life
What role models may girls now have in the home due to the increased women in employment and how might that impact girls attitudes ?
Many girls growing up today have mothers working in paid employment, who provide positive role models for them
Many girls now recognize that the future involves paid employment, often combined with family responsibilities
What did Sharpe (1994) study find about changes in girls ambitions ?
Sharpe (1994) found that in 1976- girls’ priorities were ‘love, marriage, husbands, children, jobs and career’.
When she repates her research in 1994, she found these priorities had changed to ‘job, career and being able to support themselves
What does Mcrobbie say about the effect of the feminisation if the job market on women’s attitudes ?
Mcrobbie (2008) argues that changes in the job market have meant more and more young women now expect to gain a degree qualification as a requirement for an interesting and rewarding career
An aspiration which replaced marriage and motherhood
