how does school reinforce gender identity

connell

• school promotes hegemonic masculinity

• heterosexual masculine identities are dominant where as female and homosexual identities are subordinate

double standards

• Lees- expectations of male and female students are not the same

• feminists- this double standard is a form of patriarchal society (teachers fault)

• cultural impact- films often feature women in a sexual way

verbal abuse

• verbal abuse is used by both staff and students

• boys use rich vocabulary to reinforce gender identity- girls are put down if they behave badly

• students use homophobic abuse to reinforce heterosexuality

• teachers often reinforce gender roles by saying things such as ‘don’t act like a girl’

male gaze

• Mac and Ghail- male students talk to eachother about sexual conquests and boys who don’t take part are labelled as gay

• Redman- the dominant masculine identity evolves over time with more focus on effortless achievement by sixthform

reasons for gendered subject choice

• gendered role socialisation

• gendered subject images

• gendered career opportunities

female peer groups reinforce gender identity

• Ringrose and Archer- girls hold hyper heterosexual identities and police their peers to ensure that those who do not conform are isolated

• Ringrose- stuffier 13–14 year old WC girls and found two identities: idealised feminine and sexual identities