Gender (Girls)

Question 1

What type of data provides evidence for GDIA?

Answer 1

Official statistics

Question 2

Give 5 evidences of GDIA at the several important stages of education

Answer 2

• On starting school, In 2013 T assessments at end of Year one showed G ahead of B by between 7 and 17 percentage points in all 7 areas of learning assessed (personal, social + emotional development)
  G were also better at concentrating - A DfE study found in state primary schools, B were 2 and a half times more likely to have statements of special educational needs
• At key stages 1-3, G do consistently better, especially so in English, where GG steadily widens with age. In Maths + Science gap is much narrower, G still do better
• At GCSE Gender gap stands at around 10 percentage points
• At AS + A-level G more likely to sit, pass and get higher grades than boys, though gap is much narrower than at GCSE
  In 2013, 46.8% of G gained A-B grades but only 42.2% of B - Even in so called ‘boys” subjects such as Maths + Physics, G ML than B to get grades A-C
• On vocational courses preparing students for a career, results show a similar pattern, with a larger proportion of G achieving distinctions in every subject, including those such as engeneering + construction where G form minority

Question 3

Have exam results been the same for G and B?

Answer 3

Despite an improvement in results for both sexes at all levels over the years - G rates of improvement have been more rapid and a significant gap has opened up, particularly at GCSE

Question 4

What is feminism?

Answer 4

A social movement that strives for equal rights for women in all areas of life

Question 5

What has feminism achieved?

Answer 5

Since the 60s, has challenged the traditional stereotype of a woman’s role as solely that of a mother or housewife in a patriarchal NF + inferior to men outside the home in work, education and the law

Although feminists argue we have not yet achieved full equality between the sexes, the movement has had considerable success in improving women’s rights and opportunities through changes in the law

More broadly, feminism has raised women’s expectations and self-esteem

Question 6

Where are these changes reflected?

Answer 6

Partly in media images and messages - McRobbie’s study of girls’ magazines

70s: emphasised importance of getting married and not being ‘left on the shelf’

Today: contain images of independent, assertive women

Question 7

Give four changes in the family

Answer 7

Major changes in the family since 70s

• Increase in the divorce rate
• Increase in cohabitation + decrease in number of first marriages
• Increase in number of lone-parent families
• Smaller families

Question 8

GIve two ways changes in the family affect G attitudes toward education

Answer 8

• Increased numbers of female-headed lone-parent families may mean more women need to take on breadwinner role, in turn creates a new adult role model for G - The financially independent woman
  To achieve independence need well-paid jobs and therefore good qualifications
• Increases in the divorce rate may suggest to girls it is unwise to rely on a husband to be their provider encouraging G to look to themselves and own qualifications to make a living

Question 9

Give four important changes in women’s employment in recent decades

Answer 9

• 1970 Equality Pay Act (illegal to pay women less for work of equal value) + 1975 Sex Discrimination Act outlaws discrimination at work
• Since 1975, pay gap has halved from 30% to 15%
• The proportion of women in employment has risen from 53% in 1971 to 67% in 2013 - Growth of service sector and flexible part-time work has offered opportunities for women
• Some women are breaking through the ‘glass ceiling’ - Invisible barrier keeping women out of high-level professional and managerial jobs

Question 10

What have changes in women’s employment encouraged in G?

Answer 10

To see their future in terms of paid work - rather than as housewives. Greater career opportunities, better pay + the role models that successful career women offer, provide an incentive for G to gain qualifications

Question 11

Which sociologist provides evidence from research that changes in employment + family are producing changes in G __________

Answer 11

Ambition

Sharpe’s interviews with G in the 70s and 90s show a major shift in the way G see their future

1974: Low aspirations, educational success as unfeminine and appearing ambitous would be considered unattractive
Gave priorities as ‘love, marriage, husbands, children, jobs and careers, more or less in that order’

By the 90s: G ambitions had changed, had a different order of priorites - careers and being able to support themselves

Question 12

What did Sharpe find?

Answer 12

G now ML to see future as an independant woman with a career rather than as dependant on husband and his income

Question 13

Give a study that supports Sharpe’s findings

Answer 13

O’Connor’s study of 14-17 year olds found marriage + children were not a major part of life plans

Question 14

What can changes in G ambitions be linked to?

Answer 14

Beck & Gernsheim link this to the trend towards individualisation in modern society

Where independence is valued more strongly than in the past

A career has become part of a woman’s life project as it promises recognition and self-sufficiency

In order to achieve independence and self-sufficiency many G recognise a need for a good education

For some G in Fuller’s study, educational success was a central aspect of their identity

Question 15

How did some G’s in Fuller’s study see themselves?

Answer 15

As creators of own future and had an individualised notion of self, believing in a meritocracy and aimed for a professional career that would enable them to support themselves

These aspirations require qualification unlike those of 70s G

Question 16

Why are there class differences in how far G’s ambitions have changed?

Answer 16

Some WC G continue to have gendered stereotyped aspirations for marriage and children and expect to go into low-paid traditional women’s work

Question 17

Which 2 sociologitst argue according to CD in G changing ambitions?

Answer 17

Reay argues this reflect the reality of G’s class position. Limited aspirations reflect the limited job opportunities they percieve as available - By contrast a traditional gender identity (especially being part of a couple) is both attainable and offers a source of status

Biggart found WC g are ML to face a precarious position in the labour market and to see motherhood as only viable option for their futures. Hence see less point in achieving in education. E.g. most of the WC g in Fuller’s study were not interested in staying on at school + express a desire for low-level jobs

Question 18

What direct impact has feminism had on the ES?

Answer 18

Feminist ideas have had major impact on the ES

Policymakers now much more aware of gender issues and T are more sensitive to the need to avoid stereotyping

The belief that B and G are entitled to the same opportunities is now part of mainstream thinking + influences education policies

Question 19

Give 6 policies AAR of feminism

Answer 19

• GIST (I= into) & WISE encourages g to pursue careers in these non-traditional areas
• female scientists have visited schools, acting as role models
• efforts made to raise science Ts’ awareness of gender issues
• non-sexist career advice given
• science learning materials developed reflecting girls’ interests
• Introduction of the National Curriculum in 1988 removed one source of gender inequality by making G + B study mostly the same subjects, not the case previously

Question 20

Which sociologist supports the impact of equal opportunity policies?

Answer 20

Boaler sees the impact od e.o.p as a key reason for the changes in g achievemnt.

Many of the barriers have been removed + schooling has become more meritocratic - so that g, who generally work harder, achieve more

Question 21

How have positive role models in schools rasied G achievement levels

Answer 21

• Increase in women in senior positions - increase in the proportion of female T and heads - may act as role models for girls showing women can too achieve positions of importance + giving them non-traditional goals to aim for
• Women T likely to be particularly important model as far as g educational achievement is concerned as must undertake lengthy and successful education herself to become a T

Question 22

How have changes in assessment created GDIA?

Answer 22

Some sociologists argue changes in the way pupils are assessed favours girls and disadvantages boys

Question 23

Give a sociologist that supports changes in pupils assessment as a major cause in GDIA

Answer 23

Gorard found the GG in acheivement was fairly constant from 1975 until 1989, when it increased sharply.
GCSE’s introduced bringing with it coursework as a major part of nearly all subjects

G concludes that the GG in Ach is a “product of the changed system of assessment rather than any more general failing of boys”

Question 24

Give a sociologist supporting the view of Gorard

Answer 24

Mitsos & Browne conclude G are more successful in coursework as they are more conscientious + better organised

• spend more time on work
• Take more care with way it’s presented
• Are better at meeting deadlines
• bring right equipment and materials to lessons

Argue these 4 factors helped to benefit from intro of coursework in GCSE, AS and A level

Question 25

Other than coursework what has GCSE brought?

Answer 25

greater use of oral exams, also said to benefit g because of their generally better developed language skills

Question 26

Give an explanation for favourable characteristics and skills in g

Answer 26

Are the result of early gender role socialisation in the family

For example, g ML to be encouraged to be neat, tidy and patient

These qualities become an advantage in today’s assessment system, helping g achieve greater success than b

Question 27

Give an evaluation for the introduction of GCSEs as a key reason for rapid G improvement

Answer 27

Elwood argues although CW has some influence, it’s unlikely to be the only cause of GG as exams have much more influence on final grades