Gender Differences in Achievement
- Created by: amyjohnson1
- Created on: 15-06-21 09:05
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- Gender Differences in Achievement
- External
- The Impact of Feminism
- Since the 1960s the feminist movement has challenged traditional stereotypes.
- Feminists argue that full equality has not yet been achieved but it has improved women's opportunities and rights.
- Changes encouraged by feminism may affect girls' self-image and ambition.
- Changes in Family
- Since the 1970s, there has been major changes in family
- Increase in Divorce
- Increase in Cohabitation
- Increase in Lone-parent Families
- Smaller Families
- Increased number of female-headed lone-parent families taking on a breadwinner role.
- Girls want to achieve more independence so need well-paid jobs and good qualifications
- Since the 1970s, there has been major changes in family
- Changes in Women's Employment
- The 1970 Equal Pay Act makes it illegal to pay women less than men for work of equal value.
- The proportion of women in employment has increased from 53% in 1971 to 67% in 2013.
- The changes has encouraged girls to have a future in paid work rather than as housewives.
- Girls' Changing Ambitions
- Sue Sharpe (1994) interviewed girls in 1970 and 1990 and it showed a shift in the way that girls see their future.
- In 1974 girls had low aspirations and believed educational success was unfeminine so they gave priorities to love, marriage, children rather than jobs and careers.
- In 1990, girls ambition changed their order of priorities, they now value careers a lot more.
- O'Connor (2006) study showed that marriage and children were not a major part of future plans
- The Impact of Feminism
- Internal
- Equal Opportunities Policies
- Feminists have influenced the education system and made them more aware of gender issues.
- Boys and girls are entitled to the same opportunities.
- Policies such as GIST and WISE encourage girls to have careers in non-traditional areas.
- In 1988 the National Curriculum was introduced which made girls and boys study mostly the same subjects.
- Positive Role Models in School
- Increase of female teachers who can act as role model for female students.
- Show that women are capable of educational success.
- GCSE and Coursework
- Gorard (2005) found that the gender gap in achievement was constant until GCSE was introduced.
- Browne (1998) conclude that girls are more successful in coursework because they are better organised than boys.
- Girls are more likely to be encouraged to be neat, tidy and patient which gives them an advantage in today's assessment system.
- Elwood (2005) argues that coursework can't be the only cause of gender gap because exams have much more influence on final grades.
- Teacher Attention
- Becky Francis (2001) found that boys got more attention, disciplined more harshly and felt picked on by teachers who tend to have lower expectations.
- Swann (1998) states boys dominate whole-class discussions where as girls prefer pair-work.
- Challenging Stereotypes in the Cirriculum
- Removal of gender stereotypes from textbooks has removed a barrier to girls' achievement.
- Weiner (1995) argues that since the 1980s teachers have challenged stereotypes.
- Equal Opportunities Policies
- External
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