Feminism In Education

The definition of FeminismFeminism consists of ideas and beliefs about

what culture is like for women just because they are women, compared to what the world is like for men just because they are men. In ethical terms, this form or aspect of feminism is descriptive. The assumption in feminism is that women are not treated equally to men, and that women are disadvantaged in comparison to men.

The definition of Education

The act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

Feminists beliefs:Society is male dominated.Women have historically been

disadvantaged.They look at society on a MACRO

scale.

Feminist perspectives of education

Before the National Curriculum, it was not unusual for girls to pick subjects that prepared them for their futures as mothers and housewives. Cookery or Home Economics were seen as the subjects that many girls should follow whereas for some science was irrelevant.

Many feminists believe that women are being suppressed by a male-dominated society both in education and also in later life. They argue that the curriculum is more based around traditionally male-dominated subjects. Thus it sets up men more than women for further education or more prosperous work opportunities.

Coupled with this is the stereotypical view of a woman's part in society - of becoming housewives, marrying early and having children. Feminists argue that this contributes to the suppression put on women by the male-run society.

Women In the Curriculum

In terms of what taught in schools the curriculum women tend to be missing in the background or in second place, Feminist often argue that women been hidden from history- history has been the subject of MEN.

Subject Choice

Traditionally, female students have tended to avoid math, science and technology.

Certain subjects were often seen as “boys subject” and “girl’s subject”. Often girls subjects have lower statues and lower market value.

Gender inequalities in education.

Gender and education

Gendered language

Gendered roles

Gender stereotypes

Gender and education

One of the main roles of education has been to maintain gender inequality.

Gendered language

Reflecting wider society, school textbooks (and teachers) tend to use gendered language like: ‘he’ ’him’ ’his’ ’man’ and ‘men’

When referring to a person or people this tends to downgrade women and make them invisible.

Gendered Roles:

School textbooks have tended to present males and females in traditional gender roles for example: women as mothers and housewives!!!!!

Gendered stereotypes

1.Boys are presented as more adventurous than girls!

2. As physically stronger!3. As having more choices!4. Girls are presented as more caring than

boys5.As more interested in domestic matters!6.As followers rather than leaders!

Why boys have Further and higher education ?!

Traditionally the number of female students going on to further and higher education has been lower than for boys. There is evidence that teachers often gave boys more encouragement than girls to go to university (Stanworth, 1983).

What are the results of feminism for female education?

Improvement in education as a whole for both males and females. Because education is now seen as more important, girls get better educated.

Stronger economy. Only a society with enough money to spare having all people in education and out of the work force until 18 will do so. Otherwise, girls just can't afford to be sent to school.

one of the main results of feminists lying to young girls is extreme bitterness and disappointment when they find out they can't have it "all", they can't be " anything they want to be" and they find they need exactly the same level of expertise in any job that a man would require and despite legislation no small company can afford to hire a woman who is likely to get pregnant and resign to look after a child, one result of feminism and affirmative action is unqualified people at high levels in companies and government agencies simply because of race or sex , the results of which have become obvious to everyone over the last two years.

Now… Feminist perspectives have been valuable for exposing

gender inequality in education. Much of the sexism in reading schemes has now

disappeared. Women have overtaken men on most measures of

educational attainment. Their grades at GCSE and A level are significantly higher than those of male students.

More women than men are going on to higher education. The concern now is the underachievement of boys rather than discrimination against girls.

Now What is the big concern?!

The concern now is the underachievement of

boys rather than discrimination against girls…

Thanks for your

attention