Changing ambitions

Sharpe (1994)

  • Interviews with girls

1974

1990s

Low aspirations- educational success unfeminine and ambition unattractive

Future: independent woman w/career, not dependent on husband and his income

Priorities: love, marriage, husbands, children, jobs and careers

Priorities: careers, being able to support self…

O’Connor (2006)

  • Marriage and children not major part of 14-17-year-old’s life plans

Beck & Beck-Gernsheim (2001)

  • Trend towards individualisation means independence valued more strongly

    • Career part of woman’s life project as promises recognition and economic self-sufficiency

Independence and self-sufficiency requires good education

Fuller (2011)

  • Educational success central aspect of girls’ identity as all following ambitions and thoughts require educational qualifications:

    • Individualised notion of self, saw selves as creators of own future

    • Belief in meritocracy

    • Aim for professional career to self-support