Essay Instructions: The Underachievement of boys, are boys failing?, is the school gender gap closing? (Relevant to british society/education only)
First define "gender," and discusses how it relates to British history, before discussing recent literature / media news that suggests that gender bias is still prevalent. Critically examine the nature of gender bias? Are gender differences the result of biological factors, the effect of cultural socialization factors or an amalgamation of the two? This is a question that has been debated for years. Despite two or more decades of people saying they do not want their children to behave and think in stereotypical ways, research consistently concludes that parents treat their children differently based on the child''s gender. Suggestions for coping with change within the male culture? Popular television shows of the times illustrate changes in roles. Women often portrayed as the stronger sex, house husbands etc. Gender roles in society have been changing rapidly in recent years, with the changes created both by evolutionary changes in society, including economic shifts which have altered the way people work as more and more women enter the workforce, and perhaps by pressure brought to make changes of the perception that the traditional social structure was inequitable. These roles have been in a state of confusion in recent years as men an women today can be seen as having expanded their roles in society, with women entering formally male dominions and men finding new ways to relate to and function in the family unit. The gender gap doesn?t seem to close ? what?s wrong with boys? Adolescent, idea of maleness, boys prefer practical work? Access to language essential for future (nature vs nurture). Boy?s exuberance down to biology? Historically biological argument used to justify policies. Look at different angles ? domestic violence is now viewed as bad, women had cookery lessons because of hormones. Society changes. Media likes to shock. Single mothers to blame for boys aggression?, female teachers leave no role model for boys?No. Pre 1970?s women domestic, men earning. Violence has not increased. Previously boys often has street fights, don?t see many today ? not socially acceptable. Think critically. Historically gender was down to nature now viewed nurture. The desperation women felt has been fed throughout history by the practice of keeping women in their place by limiting their options. Preventing women from gaining the education offered to men accomplished this on one level. This has changed to a great extent in Britain but there are still inequalities in the opportunities offered to men as opposed to women. BUT it would be a mistake to see changing gender roles in society as threatening only to men. Such changes also threaten many women who have accepted more traditional roles and see change as a threat.
Gender equality and equity are fundamental human rights. A lofty statement indeed. But is this really happening in today''s educational system?(British). Show an understanding why Issues Of Gender And Equity Are Important In the school Environment. Are boys and girls receiving equal time and treatment? Is there a
gender bias in schools? A combination of literature, national surveys results and discussion among teachers and students, indicate that that cases of gender discrimination are, unfortunately, occurring in many British schools throughout the
country. Critically explore how gender bias is demonstrated in the classroom, and then how it can be corrected. It may be found in interactions within the classroom as well as in the teaching practices that are used. The National Curriculum was introduced to make the curriculum more accessible to girls ? at the expense of the boys? Literature is one area where both teachers and parents can make selections that will display gender equity. Questions can be asked in terms of any activity to determine the level of gender equity/inequity which asserts that while girls and boys sit in the same classrooms, read the same texts, and listen to the same teacher, they receive very different educations.
The brunt of this fell most disastrously on boys, who it turned out, temperamentally depended much more than girls on the principles of traditional education: discipline, structure and competition. According to the National Curriculum tests (SATs) boys were behind girls. Even middle class boys within the school system are achieving significantly less well in examinations than their female counterparts. http://www.city-journal.org/html/9-1-progressive-eds.html Progressive ed?s war on boys by Janet Daley.
Peer pressure amongst boys acts as an impediment to academic achievement, dwindling base of parents prepared to be involved in secondary school activities, lack of appropriate social and conflict resolution skills amongst an increasing number of boys, negative attitude that boys have to education.
?Critically discuss the controversial and problematic nature of concepts associated with equal opportunities such as rights, needs and entitlement.Critically review the implications of the above for learning and teaching in the current educational context (ie the National Curriculum). Different interpretations of educational equality (ie has the Nat Curriculum favoured girls). Reflect upon traditional and current models of educational policy & provision.
Show an understanding of and reflection upon the implications for education as a right to an equal opportunity for all.In the light of all of the above, look critically at the potential for models of genuinely inclusive learning and teaching and equal opportunity for all.
Use only material relevant and available to UK. Please reference using Harvard system including page number please.
Indicative material
An Introduction to the study of education, Matheson, D and Grosvenor, I (ed) (1999), David Fulton publisher. ISBN 1-85346-612-3 (CORE BOOK USED)
Time to move beyond ?moral panic? about boys? underachievement. http://www.ioe.ac.uk/media/R251198.htm
Epstein, D, Elwood, J, Hey, V, and Maw, J. (1998) ?Schoolboy fictions: feminism and failing boys? in Epstein at al (eds) Failing boys; issues in gender and achievement, Open University Press: Buckingham. ISBN 1
Francis, B. (1998) Power plays: primary school children?s construction of gender, power and adult work, Trentham Books: Chester
Francis, B. (2000) Boys, girls and achievement: addressing the classroom issues, Routledge: London and New York
Gillborn, D and Mizra, H. (2000) Educational inequality: mapping race, class and gender: a synthesis of research evidence, London: office for standards in education (OFSTED)
Stanworth, M (1981) Gender and schooling, Hutchinson, London.
Weiner, G, Arnot, M, and David, M. (1997) ?Is the future female? Female success, Male Disadvantage and changing gender patterns in education? in Halsey at al (1997)
Blunkett tackles gender divide http://news6.thdo.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid-888000/888501.stm
Male teachers for role models http://news6.thdo.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid-893000/893313.stm
Answer back:Children?s views on underachieving boys
http://www.childrens-express.org/dynamic/public/answer-back-underachieving-boys.htm
Don?t bash the boys, David Spendlove 16.11.01
http://www.tes.co.uk
Education school ?gender gap? remains a mystery
http://news6.thdo.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid-138000/138405.stm
making school cool for boys
http://news6.thdo.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid-635000/635634.stm
Government tackles boys? underachievement
http://news6.thdo.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid-44000/44754.stm
