Gender and Gender and AchievmentAchievment

SummarySummary

How has gender attainment How has gender attainment changed? changed?

Sociologists have noticed a complicated and Sociologists have noticed a complicated and changing relationship between gender and changing relationship between gender and achievementachievement

Historically boys have outperformed girls but over Historically boys have outperformed girls but over the past 30 years, girls have become the higher the past 30 years, girls have become the higher attainersattainers

This rise may reflect broader social changes such This rise may reflect broader social changes such asas

Legal and policy reforms; Sex Discrimination Act Legal and policy reforms; Sex Discrimination Act 1975; programmes such as GIST; National 1975; programmes such as GIST; National Curriculum Curriculum

Social Change?Social Change?

Higher expectations from parents, (Douglas) Higher expectations from parents, (Douglas) teachers (Stanworth, Francis)teachers (Stanworth, Francis)

Shifting aspirations of girls themselvesShifting aspirations of girls themselves Some Sociologists describe boys as “new Some Sociologists describe boys as “new

underachievers” (Phillips) and explain this with underachievers” (Phillips) and explain this with the following factorsthe following factors

The decline of traditional “male” workThe decline of traditional “male” work The “Feminisation” of EducationThe “Feminisation” of Education Changing expectations of boys (Myhill & Jones)Changing expectations of boys (Myhill & Jones) The attitudes of boys themselves (Sukhnandan)The attitudes of boys themselves (Sukhnandan)

Have things really changed?Have things really changed? Some theorists would say that gender bias still Some theorists would say that gender bias still

exists in subjects (Colley 2001)exists in subjects (Colley 2001) There are still less girls taking subjects such as There are still less girls taking subjects such as

Maths, Science and Technical coursesMaths, Science and Technical courses Why?Why? Early socialisation through toys, books and Early socialisation through toys, books and

teachers’ expectations determine gender teachers’ expectations determine gender expectations (Oakley, Francis)expectations (Oakley, Francis)

Limited opportunities in the workplaceLimited opportunities in the workplace Discuss Sociological explanations for the Discuss Sociological explanations for the

underachievement of boys in education (12mks)underachievement of boys in education (12mks)