Feminists views on the role of education

who do they agree with

large areas of agreement with Marxists and functionalists

what do they think the education system does

feminists see the education system as transmitting patriarchal values.

for example Heaton and Lawson argued that the hidden curriculum taught patriarchal values in school. they noted traditional family structure in textbooks along with many other gender stereotypes ect

what do liberal feminists believe

they point put the remaining issues of patriarchy in education while also acknowledging significant strides towards equality in the education system. girls now outperform boy in education so if the system is a patriarchal one, designed to favour boys, its failing. however there is still higher expectations for boys and teachers are more likely to recommend higher education to boys.

what are radical feminists

radical feminists argue that the education system is still fundamentally patriarchal and continues to marginalise and oppress women. it does this by reinforcing patriarchal ideology through the formal and hidden curriculum and normalising the marginalisation and oppression of women so girls see it as normal when they leave school. radical feminists look at sexual harassment in education and how it is not treated as seriously as other forms of bullying. 

what are black and difference feminists

they point out how not all girls have the same experience in education and that minority- ethnic girls are often victims of specific stereotyping and assumptions. for example teachers might assume that Muslim girls have different aspirations in relation to career and family from their peers.

why do feminists think there has been improvement for girls in education

main reason is feminism itself 

evaluate feminists views on education

1. education is an increasingly female- dominate sector- most teachers are women ect

2. the education system is increasingly resulting in female success and male under performance

3. however, it is still clear that there is a glass ceiling and a gender pay gap so the education system might be creating lots of highly qualified girls, they are still loosing out to their male peers when it comes to top jobs and higher incomes.