Feminists

• Black and difference feminists


  In the 1970s girls' priorities were marriage and family, in the 1990s this had switched dramatically to careers. Maybe because of legislative changes such as the 1970 Equal Pay Act or the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act. Feminists agree secondary socialisation prevents social change and challenges the patriarchy because it teaches girls and boys universal norms, values and gender scripts.
• What do liberal feminists believe about the education system?


  They believe issues of patriarchy still exist within the education system.
• What historical context do liberal feminists refer to regarding the education system in the 1940s and 50s?


  They refer to the tripartite system where boys had a lower pass rate for the 11+ program than girls.
• How did the education system in the 1940s and 50s fail girls according to liberal feminists?


  It failed girls in order to ensure boys succeeded.
• What change occurred regarding subject selection in education over time?

  Subjects have become optional, leading to clear gender preferences.
• What significant change in educational performance has occurred since the 1980s?


  Girls now outperform boys in education.
• What does the performance of girls in education suggest about the patriarchal system?


  If the system is patriarchal, it is singularly failing in favoring boys.
• What observation did Michelle Stanworth make regarding teacher expectations for boys and girls?


  There were higher expectations for boys, and they were more likely to be recommended for higher education.
• What is the current trend in the gender composition of the education system?


  Education is increasingly female-dominated.
• How might the findings of liberal feminists influence educational policy today?


  They could advocate for policies that address gender biases in teacher recommendations and expectations.
• Why is the education system considered to be female-dominated?


  Because most teachers and managers are women.
• What does Michelle Stanworth's research indicate about girls in higher education?


  The education system is sending more girls into higher education.
• What implication does the education system's design have on male and female performance?


  If designed to ensure men are in top positions, it is failing as males underperform and females succeed.
• What are two significant issues that feminists highlight in the workforce?

  The glass ceiling and gender pay gap.
• What factors contribute to women's employment patterns according to the study material?

  Women are more likely to take time off for child-rearing, work part-time, and carry out the majority of housework tasks.
• How has paternity leave changed since 2003, according to the study material?


  Paternity leave was allowed in 2003, but women still take time off for child-rearing.
• How does the education system contribute to the normalization of traditional gender roles?


  The education system largely normalizes traditional roles, leading even highly qualified women to accept it as inevitable or normal.
• How are men socialized in relation to gender roles according to the study material?


  Men are socialized to consider traditional gender roles as normal.
• Key concepts:

  Feminists see the education system as transmitting patriarchal values that are not neutral, alongside a set of norms to the pupils. Heaton and Lawson argued the hidden curriculum taught these patriarchal values in school.
• Radical feminists


  They argue the education system continues to marginalise and oppress women. Through reinforcing patriarchal idealogy. By the time girls leave school they see it as normal and natural rather than patriarchal oppression. This is done through the hidden curriculum. They say sexual harassment in education is not treated as seriously as other forms of bullying. (e.g Kat Banyard, 2011)