Education - Gender Differences Flashcards
(64 cards)
What achievement trends have been observed between genders in education since the 1980s?
Girls outperform boys at all levels and in most subjects, with girls being 10% points ahead at GCSE and more likely to pass AS and A-Level with higher grades.
What is the ratio of girls to boys entering higher education?
120:100
What external factors contribute to the improvement in girls’ educational achievements?
Factors include home and family influences, as well as internal factors within schools.
What changes in the education system have contributed to gender equality?
The National Curriculum (1988) allowed girls to study the same subjects as boys, including sciences, leading to a more meritocratic education system.
What is the percentage of male teachers in England?
26% of all teachers are men, with 38% male in secondary and 15% male in primary.
True or False: According to Sewell (2006), boys have fallen behind due to the feminisation of education.
True
What did Spender (1983) find regarding teachers attention?
More attention given to boys than girls
What did Francis (2001) discover about boys’ treatment in classrooms?
Boys received more attention, were disciplined more harshly, and felt teachers had lower expectations of them.
What is the impact of marketization policies on girls’ educational success?
Girls are generally seen as more educationally attractive, leading to better school placements and higher achievement.
Fill in the blank: Evidence suggests that school-girls work ______ than boys.
harder
What factors contribute to boys’ poorer literacy skills?
Less time spent reading by parents and leisure activities that do not encourage communication skills.
What is the ‘lads’ classroom culture?
A culture where boys disrupt classes to earn respect from peers, leading to lower academic attainment.
What does the University College London research (2020) say about boys’ ambitions?
Boys have more ambitious aims for higher education compared to girls, even with the same academic results.
What has been the trend in GCSE results for girls in Northern Ireland as of 2023?
Girls continue to achieve higher GCSE results compared to boys.
What significant impact did feminism have on girls’ education since the 1960s?
Feminism raised girls’ self-image, expectations, and self-esteem, motivating them to perform better in education.
How have changes in family structure since the 1970s impacted female educational achievement?
Increased single-parent families and economic independence have motivated women to pursue education.
What is the effect of lacking male role models at home on boys’ education?
Boys may develop a ‘laddish’ sub-culture leading to underachievement.
What is the relationship between globalization and boys’ educational aspirations?
The decline of traditional male jobs has led to a male identity crisis, reducing boys’ motivation to achieve academically.
Fill in the blank: Boys are more likely to choose ______ and ______ subjects post-16.
Maths, Physics
What did the Youth Sport Trust study (2023) reveal about girls’ enjoyment of PE?
The gap between boys and girls enjoying PE lessons is widening, with only 59% of girls expressing enjoyment.
What are some reasons girls may not enjoy PE in schools?
- Low confidence
- Outdated sports curriculum
- Fear of judgement
What proposal did the Department for Education suggest to improve girls’ access to sports?
Encouraging schools to offer a minimum of two hours of physical education a week.
What does Connell (1995) argue about schools and masculinity?
Schools reproduce ‘hegemonic masculinity’, which subordinates female and gay identities.
What are the consequences of name-calling in schools as per feminist views?
Girls are labeled negatively for sexual availability, while boys face no equivalent terms, leading to social control.