Gender Differences In Achievement

Question 1

External factors

Answer 1

1) The impact of feminism
2) Changes in the family
3) Changes in women’s employment
4) Girls’ changing ambitions and perceptions

Question 2

The impact of feminism

Answer 2

Since the 1960’s, the feminist movement has challenged the traditional stereotype of a woman’s role.

These changes are reflected in the media:

McRobbie (1994): comparison of girls’ magazines in 70’s and 90’s. Magazines like ‘Jackie’ emphasises getting married and having children as important. Nowadays, this has changed!

Question 3

Changes in family

Answer 3

An increase in the divorce rate
Increase in cohabitation and decline in 1st time marriage
Increase in number of lone parent families (female headed)
Smaller families

Question 4

Changes in women’s employment

Answer 4

1970 Equal Pay Act- makes it illegal to pay women less than men for work of equal value & Sex Discrimination Act outlaws sex discrimination in employment.

The proportion of women in employment has risen from 53% in 1971 to 67% in 2013. The rise in PT work has offered opportunities to women whilst traditional ‘men’s’ jobs have declined.

Since the 70’s, the pay gap has reduced from 30% to 15%.

Some women are now breaking through the ‘glass ceiling’

Question 5

Class, gender and ambition(However)

Answer 5

However: there are class differences in how far girls’ ambitions have changed.

Some W/C girls continue to have gendered expectations and go into traditional low-paid work.

Reay (1998) Limited aspirations reflects the limited job opportunities they perceive as available to them.

Biggart (2002) W/C girls more likely to face difficult situation in the labour market: EG motherhood!