Differential Educational Achievement: Gender (Internal)

The feminist movement:

The feminist movement has played a crucial role in transforming societies expectations of women. Feminism has not only improved womens legal rights but has also helped to raise self esteem, ambition and motivation among girls. Women are no longer strictly expected to become housewives or mothers, but instead can aspire to professional careers and independence. This cultural shift has influenced how girls view education - as a pathway to autonomy and success

What was the impact of the feminist movement on education?

Girls are now more focused on achieving academically in order to access the career and lifestyle choices that feminism has helped make available to them

Eval - The feminist movement

While liberal feminists celebrate these gains, radical feminists argue that patriarchy still exists in schools (eg male dominance in leadership roles or subject stereotyping). So, while feminism has had a positive influence, full equality has not yet been achieved

Changing girls’ ambitions:

Sue Sharpe conducted interviews with w/c girls in the 1970s and again in the 1990s. In the earlier study, girls prioritised ‘love, marriage and children’, but in the later study, their focus had shifted to ‘careers and independence. This shows how changing societal attitudes - such as the influence of feminism and increased job opportunities - have shaped more ambitious attitudes among girls

What impact has changing girls’ ambitions had on education?

Girls are now more likely to aim for high status careers like doctors and lawyers. These ambitions push them to take education seriously and strive for academic success

Eval - Changing girls’ ambitions

Ambitions may differ across class and ethnic backgrounds, and not all girls can realistically achieve their career goals due to economic barriers or discrimination in the labour market

More female role models:

There are now more women in high status, visible professions such as medicine, law and business. This presence in the workforce offers young girls positive role models who ‘have it all’ - balancing family life and careers

What has been the impact of more female role models on education?

Seeing women in successful careers shows girls that academic success can lead to independence and financial security. This raises their aspirations and encourages greater effort in school

Changes in the family:

There has been a decline in traditional family structures, with a rise in lone parent families (most headed by women) and dual earner households. Girls are increasingly raised in environments where women are breadwinners and independent

What is the impact of changes in the family on education?

Girls are more likely to value education as a route to independence, rather than relying on a male partner. The experience of seeing their mothers work may also inspire them to pursue careers

Primary socialisation (bedroom culture):

Sociologists argue that girls are typically socialised in ways that are more compatible with the school environment. Bedroom culture, as described by McRobbie, refers to how girls are encouraged to stay indoors, read, talk and develop communication skills. In contrast, boys are often encouraged towards active and competitive behaviour

What is the impact of primary socialisation (bedroom culture) on education?

This early socialisation helps girls develop the skills (eg reading, communication, discipline) that schools value. It makes girls more likely to succeed in the classroom where quiet, focused behaviour is rewarded

Changes in womens employment:

The job market has changed, with growth in the service sector creating more employment opportunities traditionally suited to women - such as healthcare, teaching, hospitality and clerical work. Mitsos and Browne (1988) point out that this feminisation of the economy, along with legal changes like the Equal Pay Act, has improved womens access to work

How have changes in womens employment impacted education?

Girls now see a future where they can be financially independent and career focused. This motivates them to work hard at school so they can gain the qualifications needed for these roles

Individualism:

According to Beck and Beck-Gernsheim, we now live in an individualised society where independence, autonomy and self sufficiency are highly valued. This cultural shift encourages girls to see education as essential for building their identity and future

How has individualisation impacted education?

Educational success becomes a central part of girls’ identities, as it allows them to achieve independence and social recognition

Eval - Individualisation

While this may apply to many middle class girls, working class girls may still face cultural and economic barriers that limit their ability to realise these individualised aspirations

Myth of meritocracy, pay gap and glass ceiling:

Despite progress, inequalities such as the gender pay gap and the glass ceiling (invisible barriers to promotion for women) still exist. The myth of meritocracy suggests that everyone has an equal chance if they work hard, but this isn’t always the case for women - especially those from minority or working class backgrounds

What is the impact of the myth of meritocracy, pay gap and glass ceiling on education?

These persistent inequalities may motivate some girls to push harder in school to overcome barriers - but they also show that educational success alone does not guarantee equality in the workplace

Eval - Myth of meritocracy, pay gap and glass ceiling

This points to a contradiction - while education has opened doors for girls, wider societal inequality still limits how far they can go

Class, gender and ambition

Reay argued that w/c girls often have different educational aspirations compared to m/c girls, due to their class background. Many w/c girls place lower value on academic success, not because they dont care but because

• They lack confidence in the system working for them

• They are aware of the barriers they face in higher education and professional careers

• They often base their ambitions on what is realistically achievable in their social environment

Reay found that w/c girls were more likely to limit their ambitions to traditional female roles or local, lower status jobs, even if they were academically capable. In contrast, m/c girls had more resources, support and encouragement to aim for university and high status careers

How do class, gender and ambition impact education?

Working class girls may underachieve not because of lack of ability, but because they have internalised low expectations, shaped by both gender and class. Their ambition is shaped by what seems possible in their context, which restricts their educational and career goals

Eval - Class, gender and ambition

Reay highlights that feminism has not benefitted all girls equally. Middle class girls have seen the biggest gains from changing attitudes and opportunities, while working class girls still face multiple barriers related to poverty, parental support and cultural capital