Outline and assess sociological explanations for changes in educational attainment by females.

Outline and assess sociological explanations for changes in educational attainment by females.

1. Introduction

   • In the past girls have academically underachieved and at present girls are over achieving.
   • The job market - Half of women in employment in 1960 – in 2006, risen to three quarters
   • Female expectations – see their role as more than mother/housewife

2. Sharpe

   • Sharpe’s research in the early 1990’s noted that girls priorities had changed over a 20 year span.
     • They no longer saw marriage and children as a priority, rather it was a career which dominated their thoughts.
   • Sharpe conducted the survey in 1976 then in 1994
   • In 1976 girl main priorities started with LOVE and ended with CAREERS.
   • In 1994 she found priorities had completely changed with JOBS and CAREERS leading with LOVE AND MARRIAGE losing the top positions.

3. Spender

   • Teachers give boys and girls different types of attention.
   • Girls are praised for appearance, good behaviour and neat work.
     • These qualities are view less highly than the creativity or individuality of boys.

4. Colley

   • Found still gender differences in option choices despite the N.C
   • She argues this affects students perceptions of subjects.

5. Jackson

   • Investigated a growing culture of ‘laddishness’ among girls (aggression, loudness, language, drinking)
   • She used questionnaires and interviews with year 9 pupils.
   • Girls adopt this behaviour as it makes them seem cool, and if they don't do well, they can pretend it is because they don’t care.
   • She believes this stems from the competition between schools and the pressure of girls to perform in examination

6. Radical Feminist Views

   • Radical feminists dispute changes
   • Primary schools may be more feminine but males dominate top positions
   • Girls progress in education is not replicated in the job market – still a glass ceiling women earn about 80% of what men earn
   • Boys may develop anti school subcultures but this is nothing new and they tend to be working class.

7. General Facts

   • Mothers tend to read to their children so it is seemed as a feminine activity.
   • Girls often get books for Christmas and birthdays.
   • There has been a big shift in society (feminism) and this means girls have bigger ambitions for their future.

8. Evaluation

   • Women are still seen as primary carers for children (maternity leave is longer than paternity leave) and so may have to work part-time or give up work after having children.
   • Crisis of masculinity (New Man, metrosexual, retrosexual): Men are unsure of their roles in society.
     • Mac an Ghaill
   • Some feminists concerned that girls are still underachieving.
   • This debate may also be influenced social class as well as gender – m/c girls out perform any other group.
   • Gilborn and Mirza
     • Class is still the most important factor influencing differential educational achievement, thought to have twice the effect of ethnicity – and 5 times that of gender
   • Marxists would argue that it is nothing to do with gender and is much more to do with class and the capitalist society.