4.2 Gender & Identity & Boys' achievement

• What percentage of FSM girls achieved 5 A*-C GCSEs?

  40%
• What percentage of non FSM girls achieved 5 A*-C GCSEs?

  67%
• How do WC girls experience symbolic violence?

  Feminists say that its between their hyper-heterosexual feminine identities and the school values
• What did Evans find about WC girls' motivation?

  They wanted to achieve, but for their families & stayed local out of economic necessity & its part of WC habitus
• What were the social policies to raise literacy in boys?

  Reading champions-uses male role models showing their reading interestsDads & sons campaign-getting dads more involved in son's education Playing for success-uses sport to boost learning skills & motivation for boys
• How does boys & literacy affect achievement?


  -Parents spend less time reading with their sons -Mothers normally do the reading-'Boys' hobbies' like sports do little to develop language & communication
• How does the decline of traditional men's jobs affect achievement?

  -Globalisation in 80s caused a decline in heavy industries-Mitsos & Browne- decline in male employment led to an 'identity crisis'-Results in belief they wont get a proper job leads to low self esteem and motivation to get good grades
• How does the feminisation of education affect achievement?


  -Sewell- accused education of becoming feminised-In challenging the patriarchal system, we have "thrown the boy out with the bath water"-Schools don't nurture 'masculine' traits like competitiveness & leadership & encourage 'feminine traits' like organisation & attentive
• How do laddish subcultures affect achievement?

  -Epstein- If a WC boy is a swot, they're likely to be harassed and labelled as sissies-Being labelled as a swot threatens masculinity-WC culture sees masculinity as being tough and doing manual work-Academic work seen as inferior
• How does lack of male teachers affect achievement?

  -Fewer male teachers (13%) & role models outside school-1.5 million boys brought up by single mothers-Female teachers 'unable' to discipline in strict ways that boys need
• Is the differential educational achievement bigger in class or gender?

  Class is 3x bigger