Pupils may be able to choose what subjects to study at GCSE and beyond. Pupils can express their identities in a variety of ways, some of which may lead to conflict. Girls may experience problems as a result of relationships and processes in schools. Applying material from Item A, analyse two problems girls may experience as a result of relationships and processes in schools.

Para 1 - point

Girls experience bullying and pressure to conform to idealised gender identities.

Para 1 - evidence

• feminists claim that school reinforces the ideas about how femininity should be presented in girls being the first place they experience this.

• Archer found that working-class girls adopt hyper heterosexual feminine identities, placing importance on appearance and popularity.

Para 1 - analyse

• girls who dont conform to this gender ideals are often ridiculed for priotising school work leaving them excluded from peer groups

• Often leads to tension and conflict between peers impacting their self-esteem and sense of belonging within school.

• This results in an affect in girls engagement in lessons, impacting and stinting their ability to perform well in school.

Para 1 - critique

• in recent years girls have been seen to be higher achievers than boys showing some girls are able to resist negative peer reactions and pressures and continue to perform.

Para 1 - evaluation

• therefore the levels of peer pressure may differ depending on groups meaning girls impacted by negative peer reactions may respond differently.

Para 2 - point

• limitations of subject choice due to gender stereotypes.

Para 2 - evidence

• Browne and Ross claim that subject choice for student are focused on gender domains

• Boys - maths and physics

• Girls - English and drama

• These subjects carry a gendered subject image with male dominated subjects being seen as higher status.

Para 2 - analyse

• this may discourage girls from participating in these male dominated feilds showing a decline in girls taking STEM subjects.

• Girls who dont conform take this subjects may experience ridicule for not composing to usual feminine ideals discouraging participation

Para 2 - critique

• initiatives put in place by government to make subjects genderless.

• GIST and WISE campaign to changes girls attiududes within school and towards STEM

Para 2 - evaluation

• means that attitudes towards conformity towards gendered subjects is being reduced increasing levels of subject choice for girls.