Class and ambition

• Class differences in changes in ambition evident

• W/c girls have gender-stereotyped aspirations for marriage and children

  • Expect to go into trad. low-paid women’s work

Reay (1998)

• W/C expectations reflect reality of class position

• Limited aspirations are due to limited job opportunities perceived as being available to them

  • Trad. gender identity, esp. as part of a couple, is attainable and offers a source of status

Biggart (2002)

• W/c girls more likely to face precarious position in labour market

  • Therefore also see motherhood as only viable option for future

    • Less point in educational achievement

• E.g. most low-aspiring w/c girls in Fuller’s study not interested in staying and school, expressed desire for low-level jobs