sociology education

• Why are boy underachieving 


  Mac and ghail - workining class boys experiencing a crisis of masculinity, they are socialised into seeing their future male identity and role in terms of having a good job and being a bread winner
• However the decline


  Of manufacturing industry and the rise in long term unemployment make it increasingly unlikely that makes it increasingly unlikely that males will occupy the roles, moreover new jobs in the service sector are often part time, desk based and suited to the skills and lifestyles of women - traditional male roles are under threat
• Jackson


  Working class male adolescents may conclude that education and qualifications are irrelevant because they can see that they will end up in unskilled or semi skilled at best and not very well paid
• Laddish behaviour and peer group status 


  Working class boys conclude that education and qualifications are irrelevant, they are likely to look for alternative sources of status, which may be achieved exaggerting their masculinity in their involvement in anti school subcultures.
• Jackson


  Schools are dominated by a culture of hegemonic masculinity that values toughness and academic sucess was seen as essentially feminine - boys dont want to appear as un cool
• unrealistic attitudes 


  boys overconfidence may blind them to what is actually required for educational sucess, they are surprised when fail and put it down to bad luck
• Francis


  Boys are more likely to have career aspirations that are unrealistic eg footballers
• In school explanation


  epstein: schools are failing to cater for boys, teachers, exam style and female concerns and interests ignore boys learning need and fail to appreciate and understand their masculinity
• The school environment has become feminised

  Primary schools, are female dominated and may have emphasis on neatness and tidiness, giving girls an advantage
• Sukhnada et al 


  Boys generally feel they receive less support, encouragement and guidance from teachers
• Mistos and browne


  Teachers are not as critical with boys as with girls
• in school factor


  Changes in assesment and curriclum - course work favours girls as it takes organisation and skill old o leves favoured boys 1988