Feminism in Education

• What do feminists believe about the role & function of education?

  • Feminists believe the role and function of the education system is to reinforce the patriarchal ideology which they are continuously exposed to from a young age.
  • In the patriarchy ideology they are encouraged to enter low-paying jobs where they have weaker economic positions in society, therefore meaning they have weak influence and no real power to challenge the system.
• What are the feminist beliefs of the 3 roles of education?

  • Socialisation role- Schools socialise students into masculine and feminine identities through verbal abuse, male gaze and the way teachers discipline students. Schools also Socialise students to take courses e.g girls and H&SC
  • Allocation role- feminists argue that role allocation is not based on meritocracy but gender and that there is a ‘glass-ceiling’ that prevents women from positions of power
  • Vocational Training- (Bushwell)- Vocational courses Reproduce gender inequality- females channelled into retail work e.g hairdressing
• What are the evaluations of the feminist view of education?

  • Some feminists have been criticised for underestimating the change in girls‘ position educationally- more women now go to university than men.
  • Feminists have failed to consider other debates around gender inequality. E.g more concerns about boys underperforming- especially working-class boys.