Differences in educational achievement by gender Flashcards
What did Rothermel conclude about boys’ achievement outside of the school environment compared to girls in school?
Boys who were home-schooled tended to do as well, if not better, than girls within the education system. This suggests that what goes inside the school has an impact on boys’ achievement.
→ Epstein (1998)
Identifies a poor boys discourse that blames schools for failing to cater for boys.
→ Haralambos and Holborn (2013)
In more recent times have concluded the generalisation that girls do better than boys is more applicable to working class boys. The gender gap is smaller within the middle classes.
How can it be argued that school has become “feminised”?
The environment and what is expected in terms and neatness and tidiness.
→ Sukhanda et. al. (2000)
Research found that boys feel that schools have a higher expectation of girls than boys and boys feel less supported in school. This adds to a sense of alienation.
→ Abraham (1995) and Mitos and Browne (1998)
Deviant boys are more popular with teachers and teachers are not as critical of boys. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of under achievement.
How can it be argued school has not become “feminised”?
Coffee and Delamont (2000)
Schools have always been patriarchal, illustrated by the gender composition of school leadership teams.
The hidden curriculum is one which is male orientated. Hierarchy, competition etc
How can it be argued curriculum and assessment plays a role in how well different genders achieve?
When coursework is more important in the qualification process, girls tend to do better because of organisational and research skills that are necessary over a sustained period of time
What has the pattern of girls’ achievement been since WW2?
Girls have out-performed boys and gradually barriers to their success have been removed.
It’s clear that there were some institutional barriers for women in the immediate years after WW2. For example no extra places
What is meant by a “genderquake”?
In the last two decades of the 20th century, young women experienced profound changes in their attitudes and expectations about their futures.
Repeat research carried out by Sue Sharpe in the 1970s and 1990s seems to support this.
What is meant by a crisis of masculinity?
The argument that the development of more individualism and the realities of a post-industrial society has led to lack of confidence and self esteem.
→ Mac and Ghali (1994)
Masculinity crisis.
→ Peterson (2018)
Men have to shape a role for themselves and it is getting harder for young men to shape that role.
