Gender & Education

Gender differences in attainment In the past, boys used to achieve far more in education than girls In the past, boys used to achieve far more in education than girls Boys and girls also used to excel in different subjects Boys and girls also used to excel in different subjects Boys tended to do better at Maths and Science Boys tended to do better at Maths and Science Girls tended to be better at English, Languages and Art 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 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 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 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 School life reflected these expectations as girls and boys would be directed to take different subjects What do these pictures suggest? What do these pictures suggest?

The influence of Feminism The Feminist movement has led to changes in attitudes towards these gender expectations The Feminist movement has led to changes in attitudes towards these gender expectations Girls now have greater confidence in their abilities Girls now have greater confidence in their abilities Feminism has influenced cultural attitude change but also changes in EDUCATION 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 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 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 Some subjects are compulsory for all students such as English, Maths & Science This is thought to have improved girls results in Maths and 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 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 Boys and girls may choose different subjects because of early socialisation Children learn their gender roles through primary and secondary 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 boys or girls toys by their families and the media The toys they are given and expected to play with have already been classified as boys or girls toys by their families and the media Give examples and state their effects on the childs self concept Give examples and state their effects on the childs self concept

School factors Mitsos & Browne (1998) argue that factors within school are also important, including; Mitsos & Browne (1998) argue that factors within school are also important, including; Gender stereotyping in textbooks Gender stereotyping in textbooks The continued absence of female role models in science and maths books 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 Gender stereotyping by teachers – expectations that boys and girls are better suited to particular subjects Male domination of science equipment in the classroom Male domination of science equipment in the classroom How might wider society influence subject choice? Explain your answer How might wider society influence subject choice? Explain your answer

Why are boys underachieving compared to females? Harris (1993) would state that boys are; Harris (1993) would state that boys are; Suffering from low self- esteem and poor motivation Suffering from low self- esteem and poor motivation Less willing to tackle difficulties when understanding work Less willing to tackle difficulties when understanding work Less likely to work hard and are easily distracted Less likely to work hard and are easily distracted Less organised – especially on coursework. Girls tend to excel in this area 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 (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 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. 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 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 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 reasons why male and female students choose different subjects at higher education Identify and explain 2 explanations for male underachievement at school Identify and explain 2 explanations for male underachievement at school