gender = main reason 4 educational difference in achievement

• Girls are socialised differently to boys. According to Anne Oakley, boys and girls experience gender socialisation differently. Girls are often taught to be passive and sit still, listen and be caring towards others. This is beneficial when girls are at school. For example, at school you must sit, be quiet and listen to the teacher. Girls will ultimately perform better than boys.
• a pupil is likely to under achieve due to material deprivation. This refers the ideas that some children do not have a great deal of money to buy resources needed to achieve in education. For example, some families cannot afford to buy food, uniform and general utensils. This can be a disadvantage as children may lose focus, so suffer from bullying and fall behind at school. Therefore, home background is a major factor with working classes rather than gender.
• Coursework favours girls. As girls are often socialised to be organised, preparing and planning coursework tasks and projects tend to favour the skills and qualities girls possess. Boys tend to find this more difficult. On average boys are more likely to under perform in coursework in comparison to girls. this contributes towards the poorer results.
• A child is likely to underachieve due to cultural deprivation. This means that some parents do not value education and with this do not participate in activities which may encourage their children to thrive at school. For example, the middle classes are likely to take their children to National Trust museums and educational holidays whereas the working classes are more likely to watch popular culture TV. This has a direct impact at school, as working class children lack the culture needed to succeed.
• Crisis of masculinity is the main reason for gender gap. The changing role of men has left boys feeling lost and uncertain about their future and identity. Due to the decline in traditional male jobs, boys leave school lacking the quality is needed to achieve. There are more service jobs now, and boys lack communication skills needed in these areas. Boys are arguably disadvantaged.
• Teacher labelling is more important. Teachers are more likely to label boys more negatively. They are likely to send boys out and this contributes towards under achievement. If boys miss lessons, they are less likely to catch up and ultimately under achieve. therefore gender is made issue.