Differential Educational Achievement by Gender

Gender Differences in Achievement

Boys and Achievement

Underachievement of boys is a key issue, with boys generally achieving lower GCSE results than girls.
Factors affecting underachievement include ‘laddish’ subcultures refusing the ‘feminised’ nature of school, and examinations favouring continuous assessment, which suits girls.
Sociologist Mac an Ghaill identified the ‘macho lads’ who showed a disdain towards academic work, often leading to underachievement.
Willis, in his study of ‘lads’, details how these subcultures undervalue education, which results in lower attainment.
The impact of masculinity on boys’ achievement is a significant factor – pressure to be ‘masculine’ can manifest as disruptive behaviour, leading to lost learning opportunities.

Girls and Achievement

In recent years, there has been an improvement in girls’ academic achievement across all subjects.
Sharpe highlights the changing ambitions of girls, from marriage and children to careers and financial independence, which reflects the impact of the feminist movement.
The changes in the family such as an increase in single mothers or dual-earning families have shown girls that women can be both workers and mothers.
Francis argued that teachers paid more attention to boys, consequently devising teaching strategies that favoured girls, boosting their achievement.
The introduction of coursework, which is seen to favour girls because of their ability to organise and meet deadlines, has also been cited as a reason for higher achievement.

Impact of Gender Socialisation

Boys and girls are socialised into gender-specific roles and behaviours which impact their educational experiences.
Smithers and Robinson attribute gender achievement gap to stereotyping and role socialisation, advising that it begins at home and continues in school.
For instance, boys might be discouraged or criticised for engaging in activities seen as ‘feminine’, like reading.

Intersectionality and Achievement

It’s crucial to note the intersection of gender with other factors like social class, ethnicity and region.
Sociologist Mirza notes that, while black girls outperform black boys, they still underperform when compared to their white and Asian counterparts - a situation referred to as the ‘racialised gender gap’.

Remember, understanding gender differences in education requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges how gender interacts with other factors. This complexity is key for an in-depth understanding of differential educational achievement by gender.