Gender And Educational Attainment: The Relationship Between Gender Socialisation And Educational Attainment (Copy)
Gender and Educational Attainment: Gender Socialisation
Core Idea
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gender Socialisation | Process where boys and girls are taught gendered norms and expectations from early life. | Toys, clothing, and behaviour expectations. |
| Link to Education | Shapes subject choices, confidence, and aspirations. | Boys pushed toward science, girls toward arts. |
| Reinforcement | Media, family, and peers reinforce gendered identities. | Girls praised for neatness, boys for boldness. |
Family and Early Socialisation
| Factor | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Toys & Activities | Gendered play influences skills and interests. | Construction toys for boys → STEM skills. |
| Parental Expectations | Parents may hold gendered ambitions for children. | Sons encouraged into engineering, daughters into teaching. |
| Role Models | Parental roles reinforce gender norms. | Mother as homemaker, father as breadwinner. |
| Impact on Attainment | Early gender messages affect confidence and career aspirations. | Girls less likely to see science as “for them.” |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change A2 Level Sociology Full Scale Course
School and Peer Socialisation
| Factor | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers | Reinforce gender expectations through labels and encouragement. | Boys praised for maths ability, girls for neatness. |
| Peer Pressure | Students conform to gender norms through peer group influence. | Girls avoiding “geeky” science subjects. |
| Subcultures | Gendered subcultures shape achievement. | Lads rejecting school values; girls forming supportive groups. |
| Subject Choices | Socialisation directs boys/girls to different subjects. | Boys = physics, girls = literature. |
Media and Wider Society
| Factor | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Media Representation | Reinforces gender roles and aspirations. | Male scientists on TV vs female fashion icons. |
| Career Expectations | Gendered labour market expectations influence subject choice. | Women steered toward caring professions. |
| Feminist Influence | Campaigns challenge gender stereotypes. | Girls increasingly entering STEM fields. |
| Hidden Curriculum | Subtle school practices reinforce gender divisions. | Girls given domestic roles in school plays. |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change A2 Level Sociology Full Scale Course
Key Thinkers
| Thinker | Contribution | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sue Sharpe | Found shift in girls’ aspirations from marriage (1970s) to careers (1990s). | Longitudinal interviews with working-class girls. |
| Francis | Peer pressure and subcultures shape gendered attainment. | Boys avoid “feminine” subjects. |
| Kelly | Science seen as masculine due to early gender socialisation. | Girls discouraged from pursuing physics. |
| Mitsos & Browne | Girls benefit from changing expectations and school policies. | Coursework suited to girls’ skills. |
Quick Revision Phrases
- “Gender socialisation shapes subject choice and attainment.”
- “Family, peers, and media reinforce gender norms.”
- “Girls outperform boys but still steered into traditional roles.”
- “Feminism challenges stereotypes and broadens opportunities.”
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change A2 Level Sociology Full Scale Course