Gender and education

Gender and education

Gender and education, from a sociological perspective, refers to the idea that the educational system does not offer females the same type of opportunities for upward mobility, as it does males. This is a type of sex discrimination being applied in the education system effecting women both during and after their educational experiences [Pearson, Jennifer. "Gender, Education and." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ritzer, George (ed). Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Blackwell Reference Online. 31 March 2008 ] .

Forms of Sex Discrimination in Education

Sex discrimination in education is applied to women in several ways. First, many sociologists of education view the educational system as an institution of social and cultural reproduction. Existing patterns of inequality, especially for gender inequality, are reproduced within schools through formal and informal processes [Pearson, Jennifer. "Gender, Education and." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ritzer, George (ed). Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Blackwell Reference Online. 31 March 2008 ] .

Another way the educational system discriminates towards females is through course-taking, especially in high school. This is important because course-taking represents a large gender gap in what courses males and females take, which leads to different educational and occupational paths between males and females. For example, females tend to take fewer advanced mathematical and scientific courses, thus leading them to be ill-equipped to pursue these careers in higher education. This can further be seen in technology and computer courses [Pearson, Jennifer. "Gender, Education and." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ritzer, George (ed). Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Blackwell Reference Online. 31 March 2008 ] .

Also, cultures' norms may also be a factor causing sex discrimination in education. This may be true, because society suggests that women should be mothers and be responsible for the bulk of childrearing. Therefore, women feel compelled to pursue educational pathways that lead to occupations that allow for long leaves of absences, so they can be stay at home mothers [Pearson, Jennifer. "Gender, Education and." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ritzer, George (ed). Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Blackwell Reference Online. 31 March 2008 ] .

Furthermore, the idea of a hidden curriculum further adds to the discrimination of women in the educational system. The hidden curriculum refers to the idea that teachers interact and teach each of their students in a way that reinforces relations of gender, as well as race and social class [Chapman, Amanda. “Gender Bias in Education.” 15 Apr. 2008 ] . For example, teachers may give more attention to boys, resulting in them becoming more social, whereas girls become quieter and learn that they should be passive and defer to boys [Pearson, Jennifer. "Gender, Education and." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ritzer, George (ed). Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Blackwell Reference Online. 31 March 2008 ] .Students are also being socialized for their expected adult roles through the correspondence principle of sociology through schools. For example, girls may be encouraged to learn skills valued in female-dominated fields, while boys might learn leadership skills for male-dominated occupations.

Consequences of Sex Discrimination in Education

Sex discrimination in education occurs when women remain considerably behind men in economic and social status. In addition, this discrimination results in a substantial gender gap in pay towards women (.75 cents for every dollar that men make), for the most part, being in low status, sex-stereotyped occupations, which in part is due to gender differences in majors [ Jacobs, J. A. (1996) Gender Inequality and Higher Education . Annual Review of Sociology (22) : 153 85] . They also have to endure the main responsibilities of domestic tasks, even though their labor force participation has increased. Sex discrimination in education also causes schools to reproduce inequality towards women. Sex discrimination in high school and college course-taking also results in women not being prepared or qualified to pursue more prestigious, high paying occupations. Sex discrimination in education also results in women being more passive, quiet, and less assertive, due to the effects of the hidden curriculum [Pearson, Jennifer. "Gender, Education and." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ritzer, George (ed). Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Blackwell Reference Online. 31 March 2008 ] .

ee also

*Sexism
*Sociology of Education
*Gender Inequality
*Social Mobility
*Social Status

Notes

References

(1) Chapman, Amanda. “Gender Bias in Education.” 15 Apr. 2008 .

(2) Jacobs, J. A. (1996) Gender Inequality and Higher Education . Annual Review of Sociology (22) : 153 85.

(3) Pearson, Jennifer. "Gender, Education and." Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ritzer, George (ed). Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Blackwell Reference Online. 31 March 2008


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