Outline the Reasons for Gender Differences in Subject Choice (12marks)

Outline the reasons for gender differences in subject choice (12marks)

According to Ann Oakley sex refers to inborn physical differences between males and female, whereas gender refers to the learned cultural differences between them. Gender role socialisation is the process of learning the behaviour expected of males and females in society. From a very early age boys and girls are dressed differently; they play with different toys and take part in different activities. For example boys will want to go and play football while the girls would want to help mum around the house. School also plays an important role in the socialisation children. Eileen Byrne shows that teachers encourage boys to be tough and show initiative and not to be weak or behave like sissies. Girls on the other hand are expected to be quiet, helpful, clean and tidy, not rough and noisy. As a result of this boys and girls have different tastes in reading.

Children’s beliefs about gender domains are shaped by their early experiences and the expectations of adults. By gender domains they mean different tasks and activities that boys and girls see as male or female territory. For example if a girl was repairing a car she would be falling into male domain whereas if she was looking after a baby she would not. Subject choice can also be influenced by peer pressure. Other boys and girls might pressure an individual into what is seen as the right gender domain. For example, boys will not take part in health and social care because it is seen as a female gender domain and if they were to join this domain they would attract a negative approach from their male peers.

An important reason for differences in subject choice is the fact that employment is highly gendered. Jobs tend to be sex typed as men’s or women’s. women’s jobs often involve work similar to that performed in the household such as childcare nursing and teaching whereas a male job would be a mechanic, builder or constructer.,