Gendered subject choice:

• Gender Role Socialisation


  The process of learning the behaviour expected of males and females in society
• Gender domains


  • Children are more confident when engaging in a task that is a part of their gender domain
• Boys and girls tackling the same tasks

  Girls focus more on how people feel, and boys focus on how things work
• Feminine/Masculine subjects


  How certain subjects are viewed as either 'feminine' or 'masculine', such as science which Kelly argues is masculine
• Reasons why science is seen as masculine

  • Science teachers are more likely to be male
  • Examples used are related to boy's hobbies
  • Boys dominate apparatus
• Peer Pressure


  A student's peers may pressure them into choosing certain subjects
• Peer Pressure


  • Dewar – found that male students would call girls 'lesbians' if they appeared interested in sport
• Gendered Career Opportunities


  Some careers are seen as 'feminine' or 'masculine' leading to gendered subject choice. Career advisors also may reinforce gendered career choices
• Gendered Career Opportunities


  • Fuller – working class girls wanted to go into jobs like childcare and beauty and this may arise from work experience placements