Gender: External

Question 1

Difference in achievement between girls and boys on starting school?

Answer 1

-Girls ahead by 7-17% points in all 7 areas of education
-Girls better at concentrating.

Question 2

Difference in achievement between girls and boys at key stage 1-3?

Answer 2

-Girls consistently do better
-Esp english, age gaps widens with age.
-In math & science gap narrower but girls still ahead

Question 3

Difference in achievement between girls and boys at GCSE?

Answer 3

-gender gap stands at around girls 10% above boys

Question 4

Difference in achievement between girls and boys A level & AS?

Answer 4

-girls more likely to sit, pass and get higher grades even in ‘boy subjects’
-46.8% girls, 42.2% boys gig A-B in a level (2013)

Question 5

Difference in achievement between girls and boys on vocational courses?

Answer 5

-Larger proportions of girls achieve distinctions in every subject, including engineering, construction ect (where girls = tiny minority)

Question 6

What are the external factors on gender differences

Answer 6

-Impact of feminism
-Changes in family
-Changes in women’s employment
-Girls changing ambition

Question 7

McRobbies study (impact of feminism)

Answer 7

-Study of girls magazines in the 1970s and now
-Then:emphasised importance of marriage not being ‘left on the shelf’
-Now: Opposite, show independence

Question 8

Name some new laws that have changed female employment

Answer 8

-1970 equal pay act
-1975 Sex discrimination act

Question 9

% Rise in female employment between 1971 and 2013

Answer 9

1971: 53%
2013: 67%

Question 10

Sharpe (changing ambitions)

Answer 10

Interviewed girls in 1970 & 1990, found major shift in way they see future
70s: low aspirations, edu success unattractive, prioritise love, marriage, kids
90s:ambition changed/ priorities , more likely see future as independent career not dependent on husband.

Question 11

Beck (changing ambitions)

Answer 11

Links trend with individualism, independence now more valued, career part of women’s life project-recognition& economically self sufficient

Question 12

Fuller

Answer 12

Edu now central aspect of some girls identity. See themselves as creators of their future.
Believe in meritocracy, aimed for professional career-requires qualifications unlike 1970 aspirations.

Question 13

Reay

Answer 13

some wc girls have gender-stereotyped aspirations of marriage &kids

-Argues it reflects reality of girls class position. limited aspirations reflect the limited opportunities they perceive as available to them. (trad is attainable & offers a source of status)

Question 14

Biggart

Answer 14

Found girls are more likely to face precarious position in labour market and to see motherhood as the only liable option for their futures.
-Hence, see less point in achieving in education