Gender Differences in Education: Achievement, Identity, and Subject Choice

How do girls' academic performances compare to boys' upon starting school?

Girls are more likely to score higher in tests and concentrate better than boys.

What percentage more likely are girls to achieve 5A*-C grades at GCSE compared to boys?

Girls are 10% more likely to achieve 5A*-C grades.

What external factors have contributed to the improvement in girls' academic results?

Factors include the impact of feminism, changes in family structures, women's employment, and girls' changing ambitions.

What is feminism in the context of education?

Feminism is a social movement for women's equal rights that challenges traditional gender roles.

How have changes in family structures influenced girls' education?

Increased divorce rates and financial independence in lone-parent families provide role models and motivation for girls.

What legislative acts have impacted women's employment and education?

The Equal Pay Act (1970) and the Sex Discrimination Act (1975).

What shift in priorities did Sharpe (1994) find in girls' ambitions?

Girls shifted from valuing love and marriage to prioritizing independence and career.

What internal factors within the education system affect gender differences in achievement?

Factors include equal opportunities policies, positive role models, GCSE and coursework, teacher attention, and challenging stereotypes.

What is the significance of equal opportunities policies in education?

They promote gender equality and have led to programs like 'GIST' to encourage girls in science and technology.

How has the introduction of coursework impacted girls' academic performance?

Girls' results increased sharply with the introduction of GCSE coursework, as they tend to be more organized and mature earlier.

What did Spender (1983) find regarding teacher attention in classrooms?

Teachers spend more time interacting with boys than girls, although boys may receive more overall attention due to misbehavior.

How have learning materials changed to challenge gender stereotypes?

Sexist images have been removed from textbooks, replaced with more positive representations of girls.

What is the impact of league tables on gender achievement in schools?

Schools seek to attract higher-achieving girls to improve their league table position, as girls are seen as more successful than boys.

What are the two views of girls' achievement in education?

Liberal feminists applaud progress and advocate for further improvements, while radical feminists argue the system remains patriarchal.

What is symbolic capital in the context of education?

Symbolic capital refers to the prestige and recognition a person or group has in society, influencing their educational success.

What conflict do working-class girls face in education according to Archer et al (210)?

They gain symbolic capital from peers, which clashes with the school's middle-class expectations, hindering their academic success.

What strategies do girls use to create a valued sense of self according to Archer?

Many invest time and money in constructing 'desirable' hyper-heterosexual feminine identities, which can conflict with school expectations.

What is the effect of girls focusing on their identity in school?

It can lead to conflicts with school norms and distract them from their studies.

What impact do boyfriends have on girls' education?

Boyfriends can distract girls from their studies, leading to lower aspirations and interest in university.

What dilemma do working-class girls face in education?

They must choose between gaining symbolic capital through a hyper-heterosexual identity or gaining educational capital by conforming to middle-class ideals.

What are the two reasons state girls choose to stay at home for university?

1) To make university more affordable and reduce fear of debt. 2) It reflects their working-class habitus.

What factors contribute to boys falling behind in education?

Poor literacy skills, feminisation of education, shortage of male primary teachers, and laddish subcultures.

How do boys' leisure pursuits affect their literacy skills?

Boys' leisure activities, like football and computer games, do not promote language development as much as girls' activities, which focus on communication.

What has caused a 'crisis for masculinity' according to Mitsos and Browne?

The decline of traditional male jobs in heavy manufacturing and mining has led to low motivation and self-esteem among working-class boys.

What does Sewell argue about the feminisation of education?

Schools do not nurture masculine traits like competitiveness and leadership, instead celebrating traits associated with girls.

What is the effect of a shortage of male primary school teachers?

It results in a lack of strong, positive male role models for boys in education.

How do laddish subcultures affect boys' academic performance?

Boys may avoid hard work to avoid being labeled as 'sissies' or subjected to homophobic abuse.

What is gender role socialisation?

The process of learning the behaviors expected of males and females in society.

How do boys' and girls' reading habits differ according to Murphy and Elwood?

Boys tend to read hobby and information books, while girls read stories about people, influencing their subject preferences.

What is the concept of gender domain?

It refers to the beliefs about which tasks or subjects are appropriate for boys or girls, affecting their confidence and choices.

How do gendered subject images influence subject choice?

Subjects like science are often taught by men, leading boys to monopolize resources, while computing is seen as masculine.

What is the impact of peer pressure on boys' subject choices?

Boys may avoid 'feminine' subjects due to fear of negative responses from peers.

What is the significance of double standards in education?

Double standards apply different moral expectations to boys and girls, reflecting patriarchal values in education.

How do female peer groups influence identity?

Girls navigate between an idealized feminine identity and a sexualized identity to compete for boys' attention.

What is the male gaze according to Mac an Ghaill?

The male gaze refers to how male students and teachers view girls as sexual objects, impacting girls' experiences in school.

How do teachers' disciplinary actions reflect gender biases?

Male teachers may discipline boys for 'acting like girls' and often ignore boys' verbal abuse of girls.

What is the effect of verbal abuse in schools?

Boys may label girls negatively for being sexually available and may be labeled gay for being friendly with female teachers.

What role does the idealized feminine identity play in female peer groups?

It emphasizes loyalty to female groups while competing for male attention.