1. Gender Prep Work Copy up into the relevant section of the booklet.

2. Explaining Female Educational Success:
External/ Outside School Explanations
External/ Outside School Explanations
The Impact of Feminism
Changes in the Family (inc. Socialisation)
Changes in Women’s Employment
Changing Social Attitudes, Perceptions & Ambitions

3. 1) The impact of feminism
Key Term: Feminism/feminist theory
“Equality for the sexes”
“The advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.”
The ‘Feminist Movement’ has improved the rights of women as well as raising expectations & self-esteem/ motivation of women. Since the 1960s, the feminist movement has challenged the traditional stereotype of a woman’s role as that of ‘Mother/ Housewife/inferior in work, education and the law.
Can you think of any examples of changes in the law?

4. Although Feminists would argue that true equality with males has not been fully achieved, many would agree that the position of women has greatly improved (particularly since the 1960s) & continues to do so.
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
McRobbie (1994):
The Abortion Reform Act 1969
These changes are partly reflected in media images and messages.
Divorce Reform Act 1970
Magazines such as Jackie in the 1970s emphasised the importance of getting married whereas nowadays priorities have changed & women are faced with more positive role models within the media.

5. 2) Changes in the Family:
Question - What are the major changes in the family & how might they be linked to the improved educational success of females?
Primary Socialisation:
Perhaps traditional ‘Female’ socialisation is more suited to education than typical ‘Male’ socialisation?
Increased Divorce Rate
Lobban found that, in story books, females tend to be portrayed as dependant, passive, quiet & sensible whereas boys were more adventurous, active, independent & ‘boisterous’.
Decline in the number of first marriages
Increase in Lone-Parent Families (Usually Female headed)
Decreasing Family Size
These changes can affect education for girls. For example, increased no. of female-headed lone-parent families may mean more women need to take on a breadwinner role – therefore need well-paid jobs and good qualifications.
Increase in Cohabitation

6. Link to Methods (Methods in Context)
3) Employment Opportunities for Women:
Mitsos & Browne (1998) highlight how the growing Service Sector/ Economy has created more ‘feminised’ career opportunities for women e.g. in Health Care, Hospitality, Teaching, Clerical, Childcare professions.
According to Webb et al (2008):
> The number of women in employment went up from 47% in 1959 to 70% 2007
The 1970 Equal Pay Act:
Makes it illegal to pay one sex more than another for work of equal value.
> The pay gap between men & women has fallen from 30’% to 15% since 1975.
> More & more women are breaking through the ‘Glass Ceiling Effect’ – invisible barrier that keeps women from high-level professional jobs.
The 1975 Sex Discrimination Act:
Prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace.
Interviewed girls about their career aspirations & concluded that, due to increased employment opportunities, females have become extremely ambitious & aim for ‘high professions’ such as Doctors & Solicitors.
Francis (2000):
Link to Methods (Methods in Context)

7. Discuss with your groups/partner what this picture is representing.
The ‘glass ceiling’
Discuss with your groups/partner what this picture is representing.

8. The ‘glass ceiling’
An invisible upper limit in corporations and other organizations, above which it is difficult or impossible for women to rise in the ranks.  "Glass ceiling" is a metaphor for the hard-to-see informal barriers that keep women from getting promotions, pay raises and further opportunities.
It is glass because it's not usually a visible barrier, and a woman may not be aware of its existence until she "hits" the barrier.

9. How can women break through the glass ceiling?
Having higher aspirations
1974 – girls had low aspirations, prioties were ‘love, marriage, husbands, children’ then ‘jobs and careers’
Since the 1990s, girls have changed their priorities to support themselves.
Sharpe – girls are more likely to see their future as an independent woman with a career rather than being dependent on their husband and their income.

10. Increased Educational Success of Females
4) Changing Social Attitudes, Perceptions & Ambitions:
All of the previous arguments add weight to the argument that women are being perceived differently in contemporary society & that the ambitions of women are becoming bigger & more adventurous. +
4) Changing Social Attitudes, Perceptions & Ambitions:
3) Employment Opportunities for Women: +
2) Changes in the Family: +
1) The Feminist Movement & Women’s Rights
Increased Educational Success of Females =
Remember it is important that you identify these arguments, explain them, link them to increased educational success and ALSO evaluate the arguments before moving on……
You should also be aware that processes WITHIN schools might also contribute to female educational success…….