Gender and education

    AQA
    GCSE

    Candidates must analyze the reversal of the gender gap in educational achievement since the 1980s, assessing the relative significance of external factors (impact of feminism, changes in the family, employment markets) versus internal processes (labelling, subcultures, selection policies). The study encompasses the persistence of gendered subject choices and the emergence of 'laddish' subcultures. Evaluation must weigh the 'crisis of masculinity' against the continued marginalization of female identities through the male gaze and symbolic violence.

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Credit explicit use of sociological terminology such as 'hidden curriculum', 'self-fulfilling prophecy', and 'gender domains'.
    • Award marks for accurate citation of key studies (e.g., Sharpe, McRobbie, Willis) to support arguments regarding changing ambitions or subcultures.
    • In 12-mark 'Discuss' questions, candidates must explicitly apply material from the provided Item to access the top band.
    • Differentiation requires contrasting theoretical perspectives (Feminist vs. Functionalist/New Right) regarding the impact of gender policies like GIST and WISE.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Credit explicit use of sociological terminology such as 'hidden curriculum', 'self-fulfilling prophecy', and 'gender domains'.
    • Award marks for accurate citation of key studies (e.g., Sharpe, McRobbie, Willis) to support arguments regarding changing ambitions or subcultures.
    • In 12-mark 'Discuss' questions, candidates must explicitly apply material from the provided Item to access the top band.
    • Differentiation requires contrasting theoretical perspectives (Feminist vs. Functionalist/New Right) regarding the impact of gender policies like GIST and WISE.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡For 'Identify and explain' questions, state the factor clearly (AO1) and then develop the mechanism of how it affects achievement (AO2).
    • 💡In the 12-mark essay, use the 'Item' as a springboard: quote a phrase and link it immediately to a sociological concept.
    • 💡Ensure balanced evaluation: if discussing female improvement, counter-evaluate with the persistence of subject choice gender gaps (e.g., Physics vs. Health & Social Care).
    • 💡Allocate approximately 15 minutes for the 12-mark question to ensure a conclusion is reached.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Relying on anecdotal or biological explanations (e.g., 'boys are naturally more active') rather than sociological concepts like socialisation.
    • Failing to explicitly reference the Item in the 12-mark essay, capping the mark at Band 2.
    • Confusing 'internal' factors (inside school) with 'external' factors (home/society) when the question specifies one category.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Discuss how far
    Examine

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