Read Item B below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 4 - 2020 - Paper 1

To evaluate sociological explanations of gender differences in educational achievement, one needs to consider various frameworks and theories that illuminate why these disparities persist:

External Factors

1. Socialisation: From early childhood, boys and girls are often socialised into gender-specific roles, which can significantly impact educational outcomes. For example, boys may be encouraged toward assertiveness and competitiveness, while girls may be socialised into cooperative and nurturing roles. This divergent socialisation can lead to differences in classroom behaviour and academic engagement.

2. Parental Attitudes: Parents may hold different expectations for their children's educational achievements based on gender. Research has indicated that parents might invest more resources and encouragement in boys, particularly in subjects like mathematics and science, potentially leading to unequal achievement outcomes in these areas.

3. Employment Opportunities: Changes in the job market also contribute to educational achievement differences. With more opportunities in traditionally female-dominated fields, girls may perform better academically as their prospects seem more optimistic, while boys may feel pressure to perform in competitive subjects not related to their intended career paths.

Internal Factors

1. School Organisation: The structure and ethos of schools can also influence gendered educational attainment. Single-gender schools have been cited as improving outcomes for both genders, but particularly for girls in traditionally male-dominated subjects like STEM.

2. Teacher Interaction: The way teachers interact with students based on gender can reinforce stereotypes. For instance, teachers may unconsciously favour boys in classroom discussions or may not challenge girls as rigorously, resulting in a cycle where boys dominate classroom discourse while girls become less engaged.

Conclusion

Sociological explanations of gender differences in educational achievement are complex and multifaceted. While external factors like socialisation and parental attitudes play significant roles, internal aspects such as the organisation of schools and teacher biases further perpetuate these differences. The interactions of these factors highlight the need for holistic approaches to address educational inequalities.