subject choice

• continues to be traditional patterns of boys & girls subjects

  -boys tend to opt into maths & physics

  -girls opt into english & languages
• National Curriculum


  -gives people little freedom to choose & drop subjects

  -as subjects compulsory until 16

  -where there's choice within curriculum girls & boys choose differently
• after 16


  -boys & girls follow different 'gender routes'
• A & AS levels

  -boys go for maths & physics

  -girls go for sociology, english & languages

  -differences also mirrored in university choices
• questions effectiveness of policies like GIST & WISE

  aimed at encouraging girls to take up scientific subjects
• vocational choices


  -prepare students for particular careers

  -gender segregation very noticeable in vocational training
• explanations for gender differences in subject choice

  -gender role socialisation

  -gendered subject images

  -gender identity & peer pressure

  -gendered career opportunities