Decline in Traditionally male jobs

• Since the 1980s, there has been a decline in heavy industries (e.g. steel, iron, mining, etc) which have been traditionally viewed as 'male' jobs. Part of the reason for this decline is because of globalisation.
• What is globalisation?

  The increasing interconnectedness of the world.
• How has globalisation led to a decline in heavy industries?

  Certain industries have moved to places where it is cheaper to run them. E.g. Sheffield steel declined and is now imported from elsewhere.
• How had globalisation and the decline in male jobs affected the attainment of boys?

  Many of them don't know what to aim for now, as their fathers and grandfathers may have all worked in these jobs whereas they cannot.

  Mitsos and Browne argue that because of the decline in traditionally male jobs, boys face an 'identity crisis', feeling as though they'll never get to have a 'proper' job causing them to give up on gaining qualifications.
• Contrary to the view of Mitsos and Browne, why may the decline in male jobs not have negatively affected attainment of boys?


  • Working class boys didn't try hard before the decline in male jobs because they didn't need good grades to get them.
  • Deindustrialisation could have the opposite effect on some boys making them try harder, pushing them to do well in school. Especially if their fathers and grandfathers were in these industries, this may make them panic, causing them to try harder due to a lack of other options.