Gender identity and education

What is hegemonic masculinity?

Norms and values associated with traditional masculinity- like competitiveness and aggression

what are two groups that reinforce gender identities?

peer groups

teachers

Male groups reinforce the idea that working hard is masculine for boys

P: Male peer groups reinforce the idea that working hard isn’t masculine

E: For example, Mac an Ghail found that male peer groups put boys under pressure to not take school work seriously. This was different across social classes.

E: Working class boys didn’t genuinely try as part of being cool was not caring about education. These boys were more focused on messing around in class. They would bully boys that did well by calling them gay or queer. Middle class boys would try hard to succeed in private but would project an image of effortless achievement.

HARMS

Female peer groups reinforce ideas of feminity

P: Girls that do not conform to traditional gender identities were at a disadvantage.

E: Archer found that most girls performed a hyper heterosexual, sexy feminine image. This took a lot of time and money but it allowed them power and status. Peer groups policed this.

E: Archer interviewed a ladette who felt the school (both pupils and staff) had a grudge against her. When she transformed her identity to a feminine one, she received far better treatment

What did Lees say?

boys called girls slags for appearing sexually available and a drag for not → girls will be labelled badly either way → male dominance asserts itself

What are two counter arguments?

1. Jackson argues that laddish culture is in the increase amongst girls → can he loud, aggressive and drink excessively → seem carefree so won’t loose status if they fail

2. McCormac argues that today’s male sixth form students are less concerned with displaying traditional masculinity → more comfortable with physical contact

What did Hayward argue about teachers?

P: Teachers play a dominant part in reinforcing definitions of gender identity.

E: Haywood argues that male teachers told boys off for behaving like girls and teased them for gaining lower marks and ignored the verbal abuse of girls

E: Link to patriarchy

Male teachers saving female teachers

Male teachers may display a protective attitude towards female teachers → coming into their class to rescue them from disruptive pupils who display threatening behaviour

What did Abraham find?

P: Teachers idea of a girl was being well behaved and boys were troublemakers → boys received more negative feedback than girls to reinforce their notion of masculinity