external

• the 4 factors;

  • feminism
  • changes in the family
  • changes in women’s employment
  • changing girl ambitions
• feminism

  • feminist movement has raised self-esteem and motivated women
  • rise of the feminist movement meant that women were no longer bound to the “mother/housewife” role
• changes in the family;

  • traditional “female” socialisation is more suited to education (bedroom culture), girls are more likely to grow up reading, whilst boys play video games
  • more lone-parent matrifocal households meant girls had a role model
• changes in employment;

  • Mitsos and Browne highlighted that the growing economy has created more “feminised” careers opportunities for women, eg. healthcare, hospitality, teaching.
  • the Equal Pay act has opened up more opportunities for women
  • these changes have encouraged girls to see themselves as being more than housewives, having greater career choices and financial independence
• changing ambitions;

  • there is a decline in traditional gender roles
  • Genshiem et al highlight that individualisation is highly regarded in a contemporary society, it is a way to gain status and recognition
  • in order to achieve the desired goals of independence and self-sufficiency, more girls started to recognise the importance of having an education