Gender: Inside Of School Factors, Why Boys Do Worse - Labelling (interactionist)

Question 1

Epstein

Answer 1

• identifies two main discourses surrounding male under achievement in education
• Poor boys discourse: this perspective views boys as victims of a system that discriminate against them
• Boys will be boys discourse: This view suggests that boys have a natural inclination to behave in certain ways
• these discourses contribute to explaining boys under achievement as teachers perceptions of boys, influenced by these discourses, can lead labelling
• if boys are seen as naturally disruptive or less capable, teachers may have lower expectations leading to a self fulfilling prophecy

Question 2

Francis & Skelton

Answer 2

• identifies two further discourses
• Problem boys discourse: boys are seen as a problem in the classroom, developing anti-learning behaviour and contribute to their own under achievement
• at risk boys discourse: this perspective sees boys as vulnerable and not inherently bad
• these discourses contribute to explaining boys under achievement as teachers perceptions of boys, influenced by these discourses, can lead labelling
• if boys are seen as naturally disruptive or less capable, teachers may have lower expectations leading to a self fulfilling prophecy