Gender & Education

Gender differences in attainment

In the past, boys used to achieve far more in education than girls

Boys and girls also used to excel in different subjects

Boys tended to do better at Maths and Science

Girls tended to be better at English, Languages and Art

However, this trend has now reversed and girls tend to achieve more than boys in all subjects

Reasons why boys used to outperform girls

In the past, girls were expected to make marriage and motherhood their main concern

Boys were expected to go on to work and support the family

School life reflected these expectations as girls and boys would be directed to take different subjects

What do these pictures suggest?

The influence of Feminism The Feminist movement

has led to changes in attitudes towards these gender expectations

Girls now have greater confidence in their abilities

Feminism has influenced cultural attitude change but also changes in EDUCATION

Policies that promote equal opportunities in education and in careers have reduced bias in gender expectations

National Curriculum The introduction of the

National Curriculum has ensured that girls and boys have equal access to the same subjects

Some subjects are compulsory for all students such as English, Maths & Science

This is thought to have improved girls’ results in Maths and Science

But it has not encouraged girls to study these to a higher level

Gender differences in subject choice

Boys and girls may choose different subjects because of early socialisation

Children learn their gender roles through primary and secondary socialisation

The toys they are given and expected to play with have already been classified as “boy’s or girl’s toys” by their families and the media

Give examples and state their effects on the child’s self concept

School factors Mitsos & Browne (1998) argue that factors within

school are also important, including; Gender stereotyping in textbooks The continued absence of female role models in

science and maths books Gender stereotyping by teachers – expectations

that boys and girls are better suited to particular subjects

Male domination of science equipment in the classroom

How might wider society influence subject choice? Explain your answer

Why are boys underachieving compared to females?

Harris (1993) would state that boys are;

Suffering from low self-esteem and poor motivation

Less willing to tackle difficulties when understanding work

Less likely to work hard and are easily distracted

Less organised – especially on coursework. Girls tend to excel in this area

Cultural factors? Katz (2000) would argue that

peer pressure to “fit in” and the fear of ridicule contributes to boys not trying as hard

Katz also states that low self esteem in boys may be linked to images of incompetent and lazy men

These are increasingly found in advertising, T.V. sitcoms and soaps.

This linked to the decrease in traditional male jobs in society may have affected motivation at school

Summary Questions

Identify and explain 2 factors that might be leading females to achieve higher grades

Identify and explain 2 reasons why male and female students choose different subjects at higher education

Identify and explain 2 explanations for male underachievement at school